Heng Swee Keat offers his condolences to Aloysius Pang's loved ones from Davos

"It is with a very heavy heart that I think of the sorrow you are going through".

Martino Tan | January 24, 2019, 03:47 PM

Finance Minister and potential prime minister Heng Swee Keat has offered his condolences to Singaporean actor Aloysius Pang's family and loved ones.

He is the first 4G leader to extend his condolences, despite being overseas at the moment representing Singapore at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.

Pang passed away on Thursday, Jan. 23, at 8.45pm, after he succumbed to severe injuries sustained during a reservist training exercise in New Zealand.

Heng posted the following message at 7.30am, Switzerland time:

In case you can't see it, it says:

"My deepest condolences to Aloysius’ family and loved ones. It is with a very heavy heart that I think of the sorrow you are going through. My family and I, together with many fellow Singaporeans, wish you all strength in this difficult time."

Heng at global summit in Switzerland

Heng, together with Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Minister S Iswaran are in Switzerland from Jan. 22 to 25 to participate in the WEF.

They are speaking on issues including global trade and financial governance, infrastructure development, the digital economy and artificial intelligence.

Speaking at a panel session on the global geopolitical outlook on Wednesday, Heng said multilateralism and a rules-based free trade system are key for global economic growth and prosperity.

On the United States-China trade conflict, Heng said he hopes the two global powers can reach an agreement soon.

This is because the stakes are very high for the rest of the world, and its negative impact is already felt. 

Top photo from World Economic Forum website