Former Workers' Party secretary-general Low Thia Khiang has lost his sense of smell following his traumatic head injury that he suffered at home on April 30 that landed him in the intensive care unit.

Low, 63, told The Straits Times about the aftermath of his fall on June 25, in the first interview he has given since his injury that put him out of action for several weeks.

Can't smell laksa

Speaking to reporters at his Upper Thomson home, Low was described as "none the worse for wear", but the effects of the fall has left him with a lasting injury to his olfactory nerve centre that has made him lose his sense of smell.

As a result, he said he cannot even smell a bowl of hot laksa, even though he can taste its more prominent basic flavours.

"Laksa has many layers to it. Now I can only taste that it is spicy and salty," he told ST.

However, he was also quick to say: "So be it."

It was a small price to pay for such a serious injury, he added.

Revealed why he retired from electoral politics

The former WP chief also told reporters that he is much better and thanked Singaporeans for their prayers and well wishes.

He also said he is stepping down from electoral politics with no regrets, having accomplished what he had set out to do.

One reason was because he said he felt his work was done.

As the sec-gen of the party, he had achieved the two goals of securing a group representation constituency for the WP in 2011 with the victory in Aljunied GRC, and to see to the party's renewal by grooming younger leaders.

Low took over from the party's leader J. B. Jeyaretnam, in 2001.

Background

Low has spent almost 40 years in politics -- clocking 29 of those years as the longest-serving opposition MP.

He was leader of the WP for 17 of those 29 years.

Top photo via Workers' Party