Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong recovering well after prostate cancer surgery

SINGAPORE: Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who underwent a successful surgery for prostate cancer two weeks ago, is recovering well, Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong has said.

"I've spoken to Prime Minister Lee, he's recovering very well," said Goh, who also had his prostate gland removed some years ago.

"He tends to do so many things at this stage. But thankfully some people advised him to take some rest. Beyond that, his prostate surgery is successful and the pathological test shows that he's okay, he'll be all right. But again that reflects life's uncertainty," a local news channel, Channel News Asia, quoted Goh as saying.

Goh also urged the public to refer to official sources for updates on the health of former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and avoid spreading rumours.

"Given the condition of Lee (senior), people always expect something to happen to him suddenly. But I would advise them to go by an official statement from the Prime Minister's Office," said Goh.

"If there is no statement, there is nothing to worry about. Just don't jump to the wrong conclusion. But it's natural that people will talk about it and speculate what's happened but people sometimes go one step too far," Goh added.

The 91-year old Lee, father of the current Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, was hospitalized on February 5 for severe pneumonia.

Meanwhile, the PMO said Lee's condition has improved slightly though he remains in intensive care.

"He remains sedated and on mechanical ventilation in the ICU at Singapore General Hospital. He is continuing with his antibiotics," said the PMO statement last night.