SINGAPORE, Feb 25 (NNN-CNA) — Singapore’s Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan is on extended medical leave after fracturing his arm, the Prime Minister Office’s said in a statement.
Khaw injured his left arm in a fall last week and is currently warded at a hospital and receiving treatment, the statement said. He will resume his duties when he is able to – “probably after several weeks”, it added.
The minister will undergo surgery later this week.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s Office said Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan has been appointed as the Acting Minister for Transport in the Singapore-Malaysia bilateral talks.
“This ensures that the ongoing discussions with Malaysia on several transport matters will continue to be well coordinated,” it said.
Senior Ministers of State Lam Pin Min and Janil Puthucheary, as well as Senior Parliamentary Secretary Baey Yam Keng, will assist Dr Balakrishnan on other transport matters and in the Committee of Supply debate, the statement added.
Singapore and Malaysia have been embroiled in a dispute over Singapore’s introduction of new landing procedures for Seletar Airport, which Malaysia said would hamper the construction of tall buildings at Johor’s Pasir Gudang, to the north of the airport.
Singapore has disagreed with this.
Another dispute over maritime issues was sparked by Malaysia’s unilateral decision to extend the Johor Bahru port limits in October, and the subsequent intrusion of Malaysian government vessels in Singapore waters. — NNN-CNA
