SINGAPORE — Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan has been diagnosed with dengue, the Ministry of Transport (MOT) confirmed on Thursday (July 23).

TODAY understands that this is Mr Khaw’s third time being diagnosed with dengue — the first being in the 1980s. He is currently warded at the Singapore General Hospital.

Earlier on Thursday, Mr Khaw said on Facebook that he has been admitted to an isolation ward after his temperature "shot up", ahead of a signing ceremony to finalise the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link project between Singapore and Malaysia.

Mr Khaw, who had announced his retirement before the recent General Election, said he did not expect to leave politics as a patient.

"I started my career in the Health Ministry. After 42 years, I would not expect to exit the stage in bed as a patient!" he said.

The minister said he had been preparing his office for his successor.

"Could not have imagined being admitted to an isolation ward for observation! Everything was going well; I have finalised the RTS (Rapid Transit System) negotiations and was looking forward to the ceremony!" said Mr Khaw.

"Then my temperature shot up."

He had said it was "unlikely" that he had contracted Covid-19 and suspected dengue to be a probable cause as his area is a "hot zone". TODAY understands that Mr Khaw lives in the Yio Chu Kang area.

"Did the swab test just now and hopefully it’s a false alarm. I had dengue before and it was not pleasant. Meanwhile I will just let the body rest and think about retirement!"