Gan Kim Yong

Gan Kim Yong (born 9 February 1959) is a Singaporean politician who has been serving as Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore since 2024 and Minister for Trade and Industry since 2021. A member of the governing People's Action Party (PAP), he has been the Member of Parliament (MP) representing the Punggol North division of Punggol Group Representation Constituency (GRC) since 2025, and previously the Chua Chu Kang division of Chua Chu Kang GRC from 2011 to 2025.

Prior to entering politics, Gan worked in the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). He joined NatSteel in 1989 and became the chief executive officer (CEO) and president of NatSteel in 2005. Gan made his political debut in the 2001 general election as part of a five-member PAP team contesting in Holland–Bukit Panjang GRC and won by an uncontested walkover.

Gan previously served as Minister for Manpower between 2008 and 2011, Minister for Health between 2011 and 2021, Chairman of the People's Action Party between 2018 and 2022 and Deputy Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore from 3 July 2023 to 14 May 2024. He currently serves as Deputy Prime Minister since 15 May 2024, Minister for Trade and Industry since 15 May 2021, Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore since 15 May 2024, Chairman of the EDB's International Advisory Council since 1 June, taking over from Prime Minister Wong who previously served as Chairman following former SM and current President Tharman's resignation to run for the Presidency and Director of the GIC since 1 October 2024.

Within the recent retirement of Heng Swee Keat following the 2025 General Elections Mr Gan is the solo Deputy PM. Between 1985 and 2019 and 2022 to 2025, Singapore usually has two Deputy Prime Minister's working at the same time.

Education

Gan was educated at Catholic High School and National Junior College before he received an Overseas Merit Scholarship from the Singapore Government to study at the University of Cambridge, where he completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Engineering in 1981.

He subsequently received a Master of Arts in Engineering from the University of Cambridge in 1985.

Career

Gan began his career in the Civil Service, working at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). He left the Civil Service for the private sector in 1989 and joined NatSteel. In 1996, he became Executive Vice President of NatSteel and CEO of NatSteel Resorts International and NatSteel Properties. In 2005, he became President and CEO of NatSteel.

In February 2018, Gan was appointed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to serve on the Commission on Non-Communicable Diseases, which aims to identify innovative ways to curb diseases that are not transmitted from person to person, such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease, and extend life expectancy.

On 13 May 2024, it was announced that Gan had been appointed as the chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. On 12 June, it was announced that Gan had become the new chairman of the Economic Development Board's International Advisory Council from 1 June, taking over from Lawrence Wong. On 24 September, it was announced that Gan would join the GIC as a director from 1 October.

In April 2025, Gan was questioned, in an open letter by former Income Insurance CEO Tan Suee Chieh, about MAS's lapse of regulatory oversight, and how Gan, as former chairman of the Singapore Labour Foundation, held a unique role in the decisions that impacted the direction of Income.

Political career

Gan made his political debut in the 2001 general election as part of a five-member PAP team contesting in Holland–Bukit Panjang GRC and won by an uncontested walkover. Gan was subsequently elected as the Member of Parliament representing the Zhenghua ward of Holland–Bukit Panjang GRC. In 2005, he was appointed as Minister of State for Education and Minister of State for Manpower.

During the 2006 general election, Gan replaced Low Seow Chay as the PAP candidate contesting in Chua Chu Kang SMC and won 60.37% of the vote. On 1 April 2008, he was appointed as Acting Minister for Manpower and later promoted to full Minister on 1 April 2009.

During the 2011 general election, Gan led the five-member PAP team contesting in the newly-formed Chua Chu Kang GRC and won 61.20% of the vote. He continued serving as the Member of Parliament representing the Chua Chu Kang ward of Chua Chu Kang GRC. On 21 May 2011, he relinquished his portfolio as Minister for Manpower and took up a new portfolio as Minister for Health. On 11 September 2011, Gan took over as chairman of the Singapore Labour Foundation.

During the 2015 general election, Gan led the four-member PAP team contesting in Chua Chu Kang GRC and won 76.89% of the vote. On 9 June 2018, Gan handed over his position as chairman of the Singapore Labour Foundation to Lawrence Wong. On 23 November 2018, Gan succeeded Khaw Boon Wan as Chairman of the People's Action Party.

During the 2020 general election, Gan led a four-member PAP team contesting in Chua Chu Kang GRC and won about 59% of the vote. During the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore, Gan and Lawrence Wong were appointed co-chairs of a multi-ministerial committee set up by the government on 22 January 2020 to manage the situation. Following a Cabinet reshuffle, on 15 May 2021, Gan became Minister for Trade and Industry.

On 15 May 2024, after a cabinet reshuffle, Gan remained as Minister for Trade and Industry and assumed the role of Deputy Prime Minister.

During the 2025 general election, it was announced that Gan would remain at Chua Chu Kang GRC. However, on Nomination Day, he was nominated to contest for Punggol GRC against the Workers' Party (WP) team led by Harpreet Singh Nehal as the lead anchor for Punggol. During the election rally, Gan's claim that he was "good friends" with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and that he would talk to Wong after to get more money to build necessary infrastructure was called into question by the opposition Workers' Party, which stated that the civil service would allocate funds and projects fairly. Eventually, Gan and his team eventually won the election with 55.17% of the votes.

On 21 May, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced his new cabinet line-up with Gan remaining as the Minister for Trade and Industry and also as the Deputy Prime Minister. Gan would be the only deputy prime minister while the Cabinet typically had two deputy prime ministers. Gan will also be the Acting Prime Minister in Wong’s absence.

Personal life

Gan is married to Esther Gan with two daughters. A Christian, he adheres to Presbyterianism, and is an elder at the Chen Li Presbyterian Church.

Notes

References

External links

Gan Kim Yong
on Prime Minister's Office

Gan Kim Yong
on Parliament of Singapore

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gan, Kim Yong
Members of the Cabinet of Singapore
Members of the Parliament of Singapore
People's Action Party politicians
Singaporean people of Hokkien descent
Singaporean Presbyterians
National Junior College alumni
Catholic High School, Singapore alumni
1959 births
Living people
Ministers for manpower of Singapore
Ministers for health of Singapore