GE2025: DPM Gan says he will be ‘task force man' for hotly contested Punggol GRC
Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong speaking at the PAP Punggol GRC rally held at Yusof Ishak Secondary School on May 1. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
GE2025: DPM Gan says he will be 'task force man' for hotly contested Punggol GRC
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SINGAPORE - On the final day of this General Election campaign, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong asked voters to cast aside any doubts about whether his age and portfolio of roles would affect his ability to serve Punggol GRC residents , and said looking after these people would be his most important task.
'Let me say this, I've been in politics for almost 25 years. Since I began in 2001, my first priority has always been my residents. I am a minister only because I'm an MP. So being your MP is my first priority,' said DPM Gan.
He pointed out that some people have been 'whispering on the ground', pointing out that he was 66 years old, a Deputy Prime Minister, and the 'task force man' looking after economy and trade.
DPM Gan - who is also the Minister for Trade and Industry, and leading the Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce, along with having co-chaired the multi-ministry task force during Covid-19 pandemic - was dubbed 'task force man' by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at PAP's lunchtime Fullerton Rally on April 28.
'Yes, I'm task force man, I have many tasks. But none are more important than looking after you. First and foremost, I'll be task force man for you, and for Punggol,' he said to spectators at the PAP Punggol rally at Yusof Ishak Secondary School on May 1.
DPM Gan is leading the four-member PAP team in the newly-formed Punggol GRC, which comprises incumbent MPs Yeo Wan Ling, Senior Minister of State Janil Puthucheary, and Ms Sun Xueling.
He had made a surprise move to the GRC on Nomination Day on April 23, after widely being expected to lead the Chua Chu Kang GRC team, which he has helmed since 2011.
The PAP team is up against a Workers' Party slate helmed by four political newcomers: senior counsel Mr Harpreet Singh; senior director of publisher business development at an advertising tech firm, Ms Alexis Dang; senior manager of corporate affairs and marketing with the London Stock Exchange Group, Mr Jackson Au; and legal counsel, Ms Alia Mattar.
DPM Gan, who has spent the last nine days campaigning in Punggol, called the GRC 'one of the most sought-after residential areas' with its network of green spaces and Coney Island and the waterfront views from Punggol Waterway Park.
He also noted that the Punggol Digital District - a business park earmarked to spur innovation, and slated for completion in 2026 - has created over 28,000 jobs. PM Wong has previously referred to it as the nation's first smart district, where companies, research institutes and government agencies spearhead technological innovation.
'All this didn't happen by accident, it was the product of 15 to 20 years of hard work by the PAP Government,' said DPM Gan, adding that it was realised through the vision of two Prime Ministers, ministers of national development, and PAP team 'working tirelessly' over the years.
'I remember when I was briefed on (the district) as Minister for Trade and Industry...I was excited by the limitless possibilities it offers, and now I am even happier that Punggol residents will benefit from it directly,' he said.
DPM Gan used his final rally speech before Cooling Off Day to list future plans he had for Punggol GRC, including building more covered linkways, and opening the new Punggol Coast Bus Interchange, and launching two-car LRTs to reduce congestion.
He also listed several initiatives from his experience in Chua Chu Kang GRC that he is hoping to replicate in Punggol if elected. These include vending machines across HDB blocks that sell $3 pre-packed meals, and a fund - similar to South West CDC Caregiver Support Fund - to help with caregiving expenses.
'These may take some time to replicate here, but if elected, I promise to further explore how we can give seniors and caregivers stronger support and better peace of mind,' he said.
A stacked guest speaker list appeared at the rally to stump for DPM Gan, that included PM Lawrence Wong; Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, the previous anchor minister of Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC; Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah; Senior Minister of State for Defence and Manpower Zaqy Mohamad, and former Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong speaking at the rally held at Yusof Ishak Secondary School on May 1.
ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
They spoke of how DPM Gan has proven to be a steady hand, 'that gets things done'.
DPM Gan reminded voters that this is a high stakes election.
He said: 'The stakes are high because this GE is about you – your welfare, your job, your family, your future.'
He called on voters to decide who can best take Singapore forward and steer the Republic through 'uncharted waters', as well as who can best represent Singapore on the international stage.
'I may be new to this town, but I think I can say that I am no stranger to crisis, no stranger to service, and no longer a stranger to you.'
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