SINGAPORE, 12 Jan 2009: A 70-year-old-man who allegedly torched a Singapore member of parliament (MP) during a community event at his constituency yesterday was taken to a local court here today.
Ong Kah Chua was charged with two counts of causing grievous hurt to Seng Han Thong, 59, who is MP for Yio Chu Kang, and Aw Chui Seng, 69, chairperson of the constituency’s temple.
Ong was alleged to have poured inflammable liquid and torched Seng at Yio Chu Kang Community Club at about noon yesterday. Aw got hurt when he tried to help Seng douse the fire.
The accused was later remanded at the Institute of Mental Health for psychiatric examination.
According to reports, Seng, who is receiving treatment at the Singapore General Hospital, sustained 10% burns and is in stable condition.
Commenting on the incident yesterday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said MPs would have to exercise greater caution in future but they must remain accessible to the people and go about their MP business as usual. — Bernama
