DPM Gan Kim Yong Draws Large Queues at Waterway Point Despite Earlier Viral Video Showing Him Standing Alone

A Facebook user has shared footage of residents queuing to meet Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Gan Kim Yong at Waterway Point, challenging an earlier viral video that showed the minister standing alone on a pedestrian path in Punggol.

Viral Videos Show Different Sides of Campaign Trail Experience

The initial clip, which gained traction online on 28 April, depicted DPM Gan attempting to engage with passers-by who walked past him.

One man was seen brushing off his extended hand for a handshake, prompting sympathy from some netizens.

In response, Facebook user Chew Chong Tak posted a contrasting video on 29 April showing numerous residents waiting in line to meet DPM Gan at Waterway Point.

“Every election, I see how disgusting people can be,” Mr Chew wrote in his caption, criticizing the selective editing of videos to portray certain parties negatively.

Mr Chew told MS News he’s “just an ordinary citizen” and noted that election periods tend to “bring out the worst in some people.”

He questioned the motives behind sharing the original footage of DPM Gan standing alone.

“What are the people posting the video trying to prove?” he asked, suggesting that more empathy should be shown.

Senior Minister of State Defends DPM Gan’s Campaign Experience

Senior Minister of State for National Development and Digital Development and Information Tan Kiat How weighed in on the matter during a walkabout along Bedok North Ave 3 on 30 April.

“Sometimes it happens that people just walk past you, and it’s not people don’t like you or don’t recognise you, but some people just feel shy,” Tan said.

He noted that such experiences are common on the campaign trail, recalling his own instances of rejection when handing out flyers.

Some passers-by told him, “Oh, I’m not Singaporean, I’m Malaysian.”

“It happens to all of us,” Tan emphasized, adding that popularity isn’t a priority for People’s Action Party (PAP) members.

Their “number one focus” is serving residents and making a difference in their lives.

Tan praised DPM Gan’s contributions to Singapore, particularly his leadership of the multi-ministry task force during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He also highlighted Gan’s current role helming the Economic Resilience Taskforce in response to US tariffs.

“I’ve known DPM Gan as a fellow colleague and a senior member in the Government. He’s the nicest person ever, and he’s a very capable person,” Tan said.

Election Contestations and Social Media References

DPM Gan is leading the four-member PAP team for Punggol GRC, which includes Minister of State Sun Xueling, Senior Minister of State Janil Puthucheary, and Yeo Wan Ling.

Following the viral video incident, DPM Gan uploaded several videos of his interactions with Punggol residents, using the hashtag #NotAStranger.

This appears to reference comments made by both incumbent Punggol MP Sun Xueling and Workers’ Party (WP) candidate Alexis Dang.

During a PAP rally on 26 April, Sun stated, “We do not need strangers to come to Punggol,” urging voters to support the PAP team’s ongoing work in the area.

Dang responded at a subsequent WP rally by questioning whether Sun was referring to DPM Gan, given his last-minute redeployment from Chua Chu Kang GRC to Punggol GRC.

Meanwhile, Tan is part of the PAP slate for East Coast GRC, which features Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong, Jessica Tan, and newcomers Dinesh Vasu Dash and Hazlina Abdul Halim.

This team faces the Workers’ Party candidates Yee Jenn Jong, Nathaniel Ong, Paris V. Parameswari, Sufyan Mikhail Putra, and Jasper Kuan.