Singapore former President SR Nathan making "good" recovery after stroke

SINGAPORE: Singapore ex-President S R Nathan, who served the city-state for the longest tenure, has suffered a stroke but is making "good" recovery and is expected to be discharged soon.

The 90-year-old Indian-origin leader suffered a stroke on April 14 following which he was admitted to the hospital.

"He is making good recovery from his stroke and should be discharged soon," Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said in a Facebook posting today after visiting Nathan at the Singapore General Hospital.

Goh said he found Nathan alert and clear-headed. Nathan is also able to speak normally and move his hands freely.

A statement issued by his family yesterday said the former president is undergoing therapy and recovering.

Earlier, President Tony Tan said on Facebook that he and his wife had visited Nathan in hospital.

Nathan was "in good spirits and looking forward to being discharged".

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong today said he was saddened to learn last week that Nathan had suffered a stroke.

Lee and his wife Ho Ching had also visited Nathan at the hospital.

"We were glad to see him sitting up, and in good spirits. He has always been a fighter," wrote Lee.

Nathan was the sixth and longest-serving President in Singapore, and was in office for two terms from 1999 to 2011.

He officially stepped down as President on August 31, 2011 after announcing that he would not seek a third term in office.