MS Polls: How has Gan Kim Yong been performing as a DPM and minister?
A recent online poll has revealed that more than half of respondents are not satisfied with the performance of Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Gan Kim Yong.
At a glance, the ongoing economic concerns appeared to have affected sentiments.
According to an Answers.sg survey, which garnered 2,126 votes, 53.8% said that the DPM is performing “below expectations”.
Meanwhile, 20.2% felt he is “meeting expectations” and 26% believed he is “exceeding expectations”.
Singaporeans worried about job security
The public sentiment comes at a time when Singapore is navigating an uncertain landscape marked by inflationary measures, cost of living concerns, and shifting job market dynamics.
Source: Gan Kim Yong on Facebook
Mr Gan, who also serves as the Minister for Trade and Industry, is closely associated with Singapore’s economic strategy.
“I feel Mr Gan hasn’t been able to make much headway with the United States (US) on tariff issues. There also have not been any major achievements under his tenure so far,” said Perry Chen (not his real name), 74, a retiree.
In his speech at the Committee of Supply Debate in March, DPM Gan highlighted that while Singapore’s economy grew by 5% in 2025, “sustaining growth and creating good jobs will become more challenging”.
He also cautioned that cautioned that economic growth may no longer guarantee jobs due to automation and artificial intelligence.
Such statements have not instilled confidence among Singaporeans, particularly those concerned about job security and wage growth.
Recently, Singapore staff of Gardenia, Meta, H&M, and Standard Chartered were affected in a series of layoffs.
The retrenchment exercises across varying industries ranging from retail to banking has left many questioning the stability of their employment here.
Economic anxieties may skew perceptions
Apart from what’s happening in Singapore, the global economic climate remains volatile with the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Trade tensions, geopolitical uncertainties, and the lingering effects of the pandemic continue to weigh on open economies such as Singapore.
