Singapore's former prime minister Goh Chok Tong underwent a successful surgery for prostate cancer on Saturday, according to a press statement released by his press secretary.

Goh, 73, is expected to make a full recovery as the cancer is localized and detected early, his doctor Sim Hong Gee was quoted as saying in the statement.

Goh will remain at the Singapore General Hospital for a few days for observation, said the statement.

Goh is currently a member of parliament and Singapore's Emeritus Senior Minister. He was Singapore's second prime minister from 1990 to 2004. He then served as senior minister and chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore before stepping down from the cabinet following the general election in 2011.