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. The Monetary Authority of Singapore announced Gan as the new Chairman of MAS from 15 May 2024, the same day Wong relinquished his position as chairman and became Prime Minister, who also appointed Gan as his Deputy Prime Minister in his cabinet whilst retaining his Trade and Industry portfolio. On 12 June 2024, it was announced that Gan had become the new chairman of the Economic Development Board's International Advisory Council since 1 June 2024, taking over from Wong who previously assumed the chairmanship from July 2023 following Tharman's resignation. On 24 September 2024, it was announced that Gan would be joining the GIC as a Director from 1 October.
He subsequently received a Master of Arts from the University of Cambridge in 1985.[3]
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.
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.
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.[6]
On 15 May 2024, Gan was promoted to the position of Deputy Prime Minister after a cabinet reshuffle.[8] Gan also took over as Chairman of MAS on the same day, with his appointment announced by the Monetary Authority of Singapore on 13 May 2024.[9] He was also appointed as "Acting Prime Minister in the Prime Minister's Absence" as well as tasked with overseeing the strategy group in the Prime Minister's Office. On 12 June 2024, it was announced that Gan had become the new chairman of the Economic Development Board's International Advisory Council since 1 June 2024, taking over from Lawrence Wong who previously assumed the chairmanship following Tharman's resignation.[10][11] On 24 September, it was announced that Gan would join the GIC as a Director from 1 October.[12]
Personal life
Gan is married to Esther Gan with two daughters.[13] A Christian, he adheres to Presbyterianism, and is an elder at the Chen Li Presbyterian Church.[14]
^approver (20 November 2018). "PMO | Mr GAN Kim Yong". Prime Minister's Office Singapore. Archived from the original on 5 April 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
^"PAP's new CEC". PAP.org.sg. 23 November 2018. Archived from the original on 29 April 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
The party affiliation of each member is indicated right after the constituency/seat he or she represents. PAP: People's Action Party; WP: The Workers' Party; PSP: Progress Singapore Party All of the leaders of the respective GRCs are in underline. MP(s) who is go on a leave of absence is in italic. NMPs do not belong to any party.
The party affiliation of each member is indicated right after the constituency he or she represents. PAP: People's Action Party; WP: The Workers' Party NMPs do not belong to any party. There were two terms of NMPs in this parliament, with nine NMPs in each term.
The party affiliation of each member is indicated right after the constituency he or she represents. PAP: People's Action Party; SPP: Singapore People's Party; WP: The Workers' Party For NCMPs, Gerald Giam and Yee Jenn Jong are from the WP, while Lina Loh is from the SPP. NMPs do not belong to any party. There were two terms of NMPs in this parliament, with nine NMPs in each term.
The party affiliation of each member is indicated right after the constituency he or she represents. PAP: People's Action Party; SDA: Singapore Democratic Alliance; WP: The Workers' Party NMPs do not belong to any party. There were two terms of NMPs in this parliament, with nine NMPs in each term.
