SINGAPORE - Singapore shares opened lower on Friday as many investors grappled with news that Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat had suffered a sudden stroke on Thursday afternoon.

Fifteen minutes after the market opened, the Straits Times Index was 13.73 points, or 0.5 per cent lower at 2,731.66.

Late on Thursday evening, it was announced that Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam will be covering Mr Heng's duties as the latter remains in intensive care.