Following Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan’s extended medical leave as a result of an arm fracture after a fall last week, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan has been appointed as the Acting Minister in Singapore’s bilateral negotiations with Malaysia.
In a statement on Monday (25 Feb), the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) announced that Mr Khaw is currently being warded, and “will resume duties when he is able to do so, probably after several weeks”.
Mr Khaw is said to be undergoing a minor surgery some time this week.
“In the meantime, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan has been appointed as the Acting Minister for Transport.
“This ensures that the ongoing discussions with Malaysia on several transport matters will continue to be well coordinated,” added PMO.
The statement added: “Senior Minister of State Dr Lam Pin Min, Senior Minister of State Dr Janil Puthucheary and Senior Parliamentary Secretary Mr Baey Yam Keng will assist Minister Balakrishnan on other transport matters and in the Committee of Supply debate.”
Just last month, Mr Khaw held what he dubbed as a “heart-to-heart discussion” with his Malaysian counterpart Anthony Loke regarding the ongoing dispute between the two countries over the Instrument Landing System (ILS), which was operating from Seletar Airport.
