After ‘brief fainting spell’, a standing ovation as PM returns

SINGAPORE — About two-thirds into his English speech at the National Day Rally, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, visibly pale, wavered on his feet. He then stopped speaking, appeared to stumble, prompting some members of the audience, among them Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, to dash onto the stage to support him. 

Mr Lee abruptly took ill during his address at ITE College Central last night, startling both audiences in the hall and those watching the rally live on television. Gasps could be heard in the rally hall while the audience looked on anxiously. 

Mr Lee managed a wave as he was helped off the stage, drawing brief applause. The Prime Minister’s Office later issued a statement assuring that his condition was “not serious”, and a medical team was attending to him. A tense 30 minutes passed before Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Teo Chee Hean made an announcement over the PA system, telling the guests that Mr Lee was resting, and would be back to greet them and continue his speech, which prompted an eruption of applause.

Speaking to reporters before the rally resumed, DPM Tharman Shanmugaratnam told Singaporeans “not to worry too much”.  “I know it’s a very anxious moment when you see that PM had to suddenly stop his speech,” he said. “But the doctors have assessed he is fine ... it was a little blip.” 

An update was posted on Mr Lee’s Twitter account at 10.22pm, stating that Mr Lee had felt unsteady from “prolonged standing, heat and dehydration”. “His heart is fine and he did not have a stroke,” the statement read. When Mr Lee re-emerged on stage at around 10.40pm, he was greeted with a standing ovation and loud cheers. 

Smiling broadly and holding up his glass to the audience, Mr Lee said: “Thank you for waiting for me. I gave everyone a scare. The last time I did this I was on a parade square at Safti (Singapore Armed Forces Training Institute) ... (The doctors) think I’m all right but I’m going to have a full check-up after this.” He added: “But, before that, I’d like to finish my speech.”

Mr Lee was taken to Singapore General Hospital after the rally.