Gan Thiam Poh


Gan Thiam Poh is a Singaporean politician and businessperson. A member of the dominant political party People's Action Party, he is a member of parliament for the Ang Mo Kio Group Representation Constituency.

Early life and education

Gan was born in Singapore on 23 October 1963. He attended Mee Toh Primary School, which he graduated from in 1975, for his primary education. Thereafter, he attended Hwi Yoh Secondary School and Outram Secondary School, passing both his GCE Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations. Gan obtained a Higher Stage Group Diploma in Accounting, Costing and Business Statistics from The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 1983 and a Bachelor of Science for Economics, Mathematics and Computer Programming and Applications from the National University of Singapore in 1988. In 2003, he received a Certificate in English/Chinese Translation and Interpretation from Temasek Polytechnic.

Career

Gan has worked at DBS Bank as its Senior Vice-President since 2002. Before then he worked at Maybank and at United Overseas Bank.
He is familiar with poverty having worked for $2.50 per hour as compensation during his schooling days.
He was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2001.

Political career

Gan spent 15 years volunteering in Potong Pasir SMC. He was the vice-chairman of both the Citizens' Consultative Committee and the Community Club Management Committee in Potong Pasir. He was also the Branch Secretary of PAP Potong Pasir Branch. Gan has been a Member of Parliament since winning election in 2011 and is also a member of the ruling People's Action Party.
Ahead of his election in 2011, Gan shared that the opposition's presence in parliament would be good for Singapore's development but that the opposition had to "propose a programme to serve the people and not just oppose the PAP for the sake of it".

Personal life

Gan is married and has two daughters. He is fluent in Hokkien, Teochew and Cantonese.