Anything less than 50,000 would have been critical.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s life was saved on Monday, Feb. 16, 2015, after the 63-year-old leader received more than 50,000 Facebook Likes that were sent to him by concerned FB users who heard that he was undergoing surgery for prostate cancer.

Upon news breaking the day before on Sunday evening in the mainstream media that PM Lee would be due for surgery the next day, Facebook users organised themselves immediately by getting ready to hit the “Like” button any moment the prime minister uploads a statement or picture of himself on his Facebook page regarding his impending procedure in the hospital.

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One Facebook user, Ai Pao Er, said he is just doing his bit to send Likes to PM Lee to help him overcome difficulties because he believes in effecting change through social media: “Facebook Likes have been used previously to overthrow governments in Middle East by giving power back to the people, alleviate flooded conditions overseas that were hit by typhoons, help boost the health of ailing Third World children and eradicating poverty in general.”

“Hence, I will not sit idly when I know I have the power to bring change to other people’s lives, like my prime minister’s, by giving him Facebook Likes.”

The Prime Minister’s Office responded with a statement following PM Lee’s successful surgery, saying he is grateful that Singaporeans are putting social media to positive use.

The PMO said the PM was grateful for the electronic affirmation and he pulled through as a result of all the precious Facebook Likes that were sent streaming his way, as any less than that amount received would have been critical: “Every precious Like can make a difference. If it weren’t for the more than 50,000 Facebook Likes, our dear prime minister — god forbid — might just have to rely on the power of medical science and surgery to pull through.”

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