|
by Joy Fang
MEMBER of Parliament Seng Han Thong is now in hospital after a Yio Chu Kang resident splashed thinner or kerosene on him and set him alight at the community club yesterday.
The MP was having lunch after handing out bursaries to students and hongbao to the elderly when the 70-year-old assailant struck.
The man tried to flee but was overpowered by residents and later arrested by the police.
Witnesses told my paper that 10 grassroots leaders who were near Mr Seng ran towards him and took off their shirts to douse the fire.
Mr George Tan, vice-chairman of the People's Action Party branch in Yio Chu Kang, saw Mr Seng burning and immediately thought to call the police.
Mr Seng was conscious and told him to "call my family", he said.
Mr Seng and Mr Aw Chui Seng, 61, who is the chairman of the Chu Sheng Temple in Ang Mo Kio, were seated next to each other. Both were taken immediately to the Singapore General Hospital (SGH).
Mr Seng suffered up to 15 per cent burns, while Mr Aw sustained less than 10 per cent burns, said a hospital spokesman.
Yesterday, Mr Seng's relatives, as well as Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng, visited him at SGH.
The PM, who spent about 15 minutes in Mr Seng's room, later told reporters that the MP was burnt on the face, chest and arms.
He told Mr Seng to "just get well, focus, concentrate and look after yourself for now. We will take on the responsibilities and look after Yio Chu Kang".
Of the assailant, PM Lee said: "This was a resident of his who had been in and out of the Institute of Mental Health before, whom they have been trying to help. He knew this person and has met him many times."
In 2006, Mr Seng was punched by a cabby who was angry that the MP did not help him get his revoked taxi licence reinstated.
joyfang@sph.com.sg
For more my paper stories click here.
 |
| » Click here for more RazorTV videos. |
| 
