14 May 16 Sat CNA
"NOT HERE TO REPLACE HIM"
Mr Sin said: "I'll be taking over the grassroots function as second adviser. This is something where I'm called upon to look after the CCC (Citizens' Consultative Committee), the CCMC (Community Club Management Committee) and RC (Residents' Committee) activities and also the municipal issues. And as far as the MPS is concerned, the elected MPs will continue to run it and I will help in the MPS as well.
"I know the residents well because of my previous role as an elected member, but I'm not here to replace him, I'm here to support the ongoing work of Mr Heng in Tampines Central."
He added: "This discussion came about after the news broke out and some thoughts were given to it and so when we talked about it, I willingly stepped forward because I feel that this is a natural thing to do.
"It is the right thing to do because while we were very shocked and saddened by what has happened to Mr Heng, at the same time, we are also aware that the needs of the residents must be looked after. They are surely our priorities, and so for this reason, we all agreed to step forward to ensure that the needs and well-being of the residents continue to be looked after."
Mr Heng, who is also Finance Minister, underwent surgery at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) after collapsing from a stroke during a Cabinet meeting on Thursday. He is now in stable condition, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said after visiting him at Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
On Thursday, it was announced that Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam will take over Mr Heng's duties as Finance Minister with immediate effect.