Transport Minister’s Arm Feels Betrayal: A Tale of a Fall, Surgery, and Leadership Switch
Picture this: a 66‑year‑old Singaporean minister, Khaw Boon Wan, takes a tumble at home, turns his left arm into a bone‑broken drama, and sets the scene for a week‑long medical hiatus.
What Went Down
- Fall in the house on March 1 → fractured left arm.
- Hospitalised at Singapore General Hospital.
- Planned surgery: Friday (same day).
Key Messages From the Minister
In a heartfelt Facebook note, Khaw posted:
- Prepared for surgery — “I’m fully ready for the upcoming operation.”
- Patience is a virtue: “Healing can take several weeks.”
- Hopeful: “I’m in the best of hands and looking forward to a full recovery.”
- Life lesson: “Never jump out of bed at our age.” — “Get up, pump the heart, stand steady before the first step.”
Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Update
- Confirmed extended medical leave for Khaw. Will resume when ready, likely after a few weeks.
- Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan steps in as Acting Transport Minister to keep talks with Malaysia rolling smoothly.
- Support team includes:
- Senior Ministers of State for Transport: Lam Pin Min & Janil Puthucheary.
- Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Transport: Baey Yam Keng.
- MPs from the Sembawang GRC are covering constituency duties.
Community Engagement During Recovery
- Amrin Amin joined a Meet‑the‑People session on Monday night.
- Vikram Nair will step up for next Monday’s session.
Closing Note
While Khaw deals with bone‑braces and a slow recovery, the cabinet has a solid plan to keep the wheels turning. Stay tuned for updates, and remember: when you’re older, matriarchal advice “don’t jump out of bed” is more than a caution—it’s a life‑saver.
