Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday attended the wake of former PAP MP Chor Yeok Eng, who died on Wednesday aged 86.

In a Facebook post last night, Mr Lee paid tribute to Mr Chor for dedicating his life to the country and to improving the lives of Singaporeans. Mr Chor was MP for Bukit Timah from 1966 to 1984 and retired from politics as senior parliamentary secretary for the environment.

Mr Lee wrote: "As a young man, he joined the PAP to fight for an independent Singapore. As MP for Bukit Timah, he saw the poor neighbourhood turn into a beautiful modern estate, and improved the lives of residents.

"Mr Chor's integrity and character shone on many occasions. In 1956, when a 2,000-strong mob threatened to burn down the former Yeo Hiap Seng factory in Bukit Timah, he stopped them. He reminded them that they were against the colonialists and not the local manufacturer."

He noted that Mr Lee Kuan Yew considered Mr Chor one of his oldest, most steadfast and courageous party comrades: "He said that if he had to choose one other to go to battle with him, he would pick Mr Chor."

Mr Chor remained active after retiring in 1984, Mr Lee added.

"Mr Chor kept a watchful eye over his old constituency. I often met him when I visited Bukit Timah for constituency events, and was glad to see him again last year when we celebrated the 60th Anniversary of Bukit Timah," he said.