Gan Kim Yong 'not quite 4G' but 'grateful and humbled' by request to serve as DPM

SINGAPORE: Even though he is “not quite” part of the 4G leadership team of the People’s Action Party (PAP), Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong will do his best as Deputy Prime Minister, he said on Monday (May 13). 

Mr Gan will become Deputy Prime Minister when the new Cabinet is sworn in on Wednesday, Prime Minister-designate Lawrence Wong announced on Monday afternoon. 

Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat will stay on in his role. 

As Deputy Prime Ministers, they will support Mr Wong to bring Singapore together, tackle critical issues and work with younger colleagues to develop another generation of leadership, said Mr Heng. 

Mr Gan said he is “grateful and humbled” that Mr Wong has asked him to continue serving as a member of his new Cabinet. 

“Although I’m not quite 4G as many of you know, it is indeed my honour to be given this opportunity and I will do my best to support the new Prime Minister and his team,” he continued.

It has been “a pleasure” working with Mr Wong, said Mr Gan, noting that they have worked together on many local projects as Members of Parliament overseeing neighbouring wards. 

Mr Wong and Mr Gan were also the co-chairs of the multi-ministry task force during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I've seen his strong leadership, particularly in the midst of crisis," said Mr Gan.

As Minister for Trade and Industry, he will continue to focus on economic issues and work with agencies and ministries to navigate the “increasingly complex challenges” ahead of Singapore. 

As DPM, he will support Mr Wong and work with Mr Heng to coordinate a whole-of-government approach to formulate and implement key policies, said Mr Gan. 

“Together with DPM Heng, I will do my best to support the Prime Minister and help my younger colleagues in whichever way I can to build a strong team that will lead us forward.” 

Speaking during the press conference on Monday, Mr Heng said he is “very happy” that Mr Wong has appointed Mr Gan as Deputy Prime Minister. 

“I’ve known Kim Yong since my entry into politics, so we’ll work very closely together, both of us,” said Mr Heng, adding that he worked closely with Mr Gan when they previously led the ministries of finance and health respectively. 

Mr Gan is two years older than Mr Heng, but entered politics in 2001, 10 years before the latter. 

"So I think this 3G, 4G, whatever, I think it's important for us to just look at the person and not get too obsessed with 3G and 4G," Mr Heng added. 

Responding to a question about his key considerations in appointing Mr Gan as Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Wong acknowledged that the current Minister for Trade and Industry is “not quite 4G”. 

“But that’s ok, because … I am looking at ensuring continuity and stability while renewing the team,” Mr Wong continued. 

“And I think, for me, during this initial period of transition, it will be useful to have two more experienced ministers as my deputies.”

Mr Wong and Mr Gan “went through the COVID baptism of fire together”, and the latter was a “pillar of strength throughout”, said the former. 

Mr Gan’s experience in international economics will help Singapore navigate the more contested global environment, he added. 

Mr Heng and Mr Wong both entered politics in 2011 and worked together in the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Finance, the latter noted. 

As experienced ministers, both Mr Gan and Mr Heng will “provide a steady hand” in this initial transition period, and help to mentor younger political officeholder colleagues. 

“I’m glad they will be supporting me as my deputies,” said Mr Wong, adding that he values their advice and counsel. 

There is a range of 4G ministers who are “all doing well”, but some of them have more experience in government while others are “still quite new”, said Mr Wong in response to a question about the public anticipating a 4G DPM. 

“I think it’s a question of balancing between continuity, stability and renewal,” he continued, adding that this Cabinet’s priority is to focus on issues that concern Singaporeans, including the cost of living and jobs. 

“We have rolled out quite a number of initiatives in this year’s budget. We will continue to see what more we can do through the rest of this term of government.”