By Aaron Low and Jermyn Chow

BREAKING their silence for the first time after Sunday's attack on Yio Chu Kang MP Seng Han Thong, his family on Wednesday issued a statement to the media to express their thanks and appreciation to all who have shown care and concern to him since he was hospitalised.

The statement, issued by Mrs Seng and family, also touched on how they are coping with the 'despair and extreme stress' following what they described as 'an unfortunate incident'.

Voicing their pain, the statement said: 'We are struggling with reality. The sight of our loved one, who is so full of life and now lying in great pain, unable to speak, immobilised, hooked to a respirator and an array of medical equipment, is so shocking.

For more The Straits Times stories, click here.