PM Wong: DPM Gan fielded in Punggol because PAP needed a 'heavyweight' after Teo Chee Hean retired

Speaking at a doorstop at Punggol One on Apr. 29, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong talked about why Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong was fielded in Punggol.

He said this was due to a gap in Punggol when Teo Chee Hean, "a heavyweight", left.

PM Wong said he asked DPM Gan to go Punggol, which he agreed to.

PM Wong then said that the departure of Teo was perhaps why Workers' Party "dropped everything in Marine Parade" and "parachute" into Punggol, not expecting DPM Gan's move to Punggol GRC.

"So let's be clear, WP didn't step up, they stepped away from Marine Parade", PM Wong said, adding:

"Perhaps they thought that I would go for a newbie. Perhaps they thought maybe Janil [Puthucheary] is going to anchor. I don't know what their calculations are, but I presume it's because they didn't anticipate that.

They didn't anticipate this, and that's why they dropped everything...in Marine Parade and parachuted here, and perhaps that's why they are upset, and that's why they are so angry and engaging in such negative politics now. I don't know, you'll have to ask them."

He also said:

"But I would say to Punggol residents, let's reject these kinds of negative politics. We should be better than this. Look at the teams. Assess the individuals.

You can make a judgment for yourself, which team is better to serve you, improve your lives and take Singapore forward."

During a WP rally on Apr. 28, 2025, Harpreet Singh had questioned the fielding of DPM Gan to Punggol GRC, a constituency that he called "unsafe":

"I like DPM Gan. We have met on the ground several times during this campaign, and he's a very pleasant person, but the question to ask is: Who put DPM at risk in Punggol GRC?"

CEC issue

PM Wong also addressed the issue of the party's Central Executive Committee (CEC), and the assertion by the WP that he would likely only serve one term if elected, as he is older than DPM Heng Swee Keat who retired after one term in East Coast GRC, and also that Gan is not a member of the CEC.

PM Wong said that not being a member of the CEC is an irrelevant point, as CEC or not, Gan remains a key member of his team and Cabinet.

PM Wong shared that Gan himself made the choice not to stand for election to the CEC, in order to allow for party renewal.

He added that the comparison with Heng is not relevant, as while Heng may be younger, he also has health issues to deal with.

PM Wong said he hopes Gan stays healthy and continue his work in government.

Image from Sulaiman Daud