Speaking to the media for the first time since his ordeal, an upbeat Mr Seng, 59, said: 'This is the way for me to get back to society faster and get better.'

The Yio Chu Kang MP suffered 14 per cent burns on his body after a resident allegedly poured thinner on him and set him ablaze at a constituency event on Jan 11. He was hospitalised for 28 days and had skin-graft operations.

While recuperating at home, he could not meet many grassroots leaders and friends who wanted to visit him, as his doctor feared his wounds would get infected.

Pointing to previously burnt areas below his ear that still looked reddish, he said: 'All these are healed, no more wounds. I just need to be careful.'

He has been keeping up with work too, signing documents sent to him by his constituency and by the National Trades Union Congress, where he is an assistant secretary-general.

He is also sending and checking e-mail, although it is harder to type with the special gloves he wears to protect his still-healing hands. 'When I press A, I end up pressing the neighbouring keys. I need to correct here and there, so it's slower,' he said with a smile.

He has made a quick recovery, though. His first appearance in public was on May 18, at the opening of the second session of the 11th Parliament. It was a warm homecoming. He said he felt the same cheer last night at the 69th anniversary dinner of the Singapore Newspaper Distributors Association, where he has been its adviser since 2003.

At the back of his mind was his psychiatrist's cautionary word that he may experience panic, worry or fear in public. But he was confident, saying: 'I do not fear because mentally, I'm okay. Physically, I'm quite strained, but I think I can recover sooner than later.'

He was still wearing the special gloves, and the master of ceremonies had forewarned the 450 guests several times not to shake his hand.

Read the full report in Sunday's edition of the Straits Times

chinlian@sph.com.sg