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Singaporean prime minister Lee Hsien Loong faints during televised speech Singaporean prime minister Lee Hsien Loong faints during televised speech
(about 17 hours later)
Singapore prime minister Lee Hsien Loong caused a scare when he fainted briefly while delivering a lengthy televised speech on Sunday, but he resumed speaking after resting.Singapore prime minister Lee Hsien Loong caused a scare when he fainted briefly while delivering a lengthy televised speech on Sunday, but he resumed speaking after resting.
The 64-year-old cancer survivor, son of the city-state’s late founding leader Lee Kuan Yew, suddenly stopped speaking more than two hours into his speech and had to be helped off the stage.The 64-year-old cancer survivor, son of the city-state’s late founding leader Lee Kuan Yew, suddenly stopped speaking more than two hours into his speech and had to be helped off the stage.
Related: Former Singapore president SR Nathan in critical condition after stroke
When he returned about an hour and 20 minutes later, the crowd in the packed auditorium gave him a standing ovation and thousands of well-wishers expressed relief on social media.When he returned about an hour and 20 minutes later, the crowd in the packed auditorium gave him a standing ovation and thousands of well-wishers expressed relief on social media.
Aides blamed fatigue and dehydration and ruled out a stroke.Aides blamed fatigue and dehydration and ruled out a stroke.
“Thank you for waiting for me. I gave everybody a scare,” said Lee, who has been in power since 2004.“Thank you for waiting for me. I gave everybody a scare,” said Lee, who has been in power since 2004.
He said he fainted during the speech, part of celebrations linked to Singapore’s 51st anniversary as a republic on August 9.He said he fainted during the speech, part of celebrations linked to Singapore’s 51st anniversary as a republic on August 9.
“I think that’s what happened. I’ve never had so many doctors look at me all at once, they think I’m all right. But anyway I’m going to have a full check-up after this.”“I think that’s what happened. I’ve never had so many doctors look at me all at once, they think I’m all right. But anyway I’m going to have a full check-up after this.”
Najib Razak, the Malaysian prime minister, posted on Twitter: “Heard that you’re not feeling well. I hope you’re all right. Get well soon.”Najib Razak, the Malaysian prime minister, posted on Twitter: “Heard that you’re not feeling well. I hope you’re all right. Get well soon.”
Lee had been on his feet for more than two hours when he stunned the audience as he slouched over the lectern before cameras cut away to his listeners during a live broadcast.Lee had been on his feet for more than two hours when he stunned the audience as he slouched over the lectern before cameras cut away to his listeners during a live broadcast.
The audience sat in shock but broke into applause when Lee was being helped off the stage.The audience sat in shock but broke into applause when Lee was being helped off the stage.
An official statement said Lee was affected by prolonged standing, heat and dehydration.An official statement said Lee was affected by prolonged standing, heat and dehydration.
“His heart is fine and he did not have a stroke,” the statement added.“His heart is fine and he did not have a stroke,” the statement added.
Lee underwent surgery for prostate cancer last year and has received the all-clear from doctors. He survived a bout of lymphoma, a form of cancer, in 1992.Lee underwent surgery for prostate cancer last year and has received the all-clear from doctors. He survived a bout of lymphoma, a form of cancer, in 1992.
Lee led the ruling People’s Action party, which has governed Singapore since it became independent from Malaysia in 1965, to a new-five year term last year and has indicated he would hand over power by the time he reaches 70.Lee led the ruling People’s Action party, which has governed Singapore since it became independent from Malaysia in 1965, to a new-five year term last year and has indicated he would hand over power by the time he reaches 70.