Politics
Desmond Tan criticised for “listening ear” remark in Straits Times podcast
PAP MP Desmond Tan faces backlash after The Straits Times reported his comments from a podcast where he described his role as often being a “listening ear” during Meet-the-People Sessions, sparking online criticism about MPs’ responsibilities.

Senior Minister of State Desmond Tan, also People’s Action Party (PAP) Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, has faced strong public backlash after The Straits Times reported his comments made during a recent podcast.
Senior Minister of State Desmond Tan, a former brigadier-general in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, has come under fire for comments made during a podcast appearance. His remarks about often being a ‘listening ear’ rather than solving problems during Meet-the-People Sessions (MPS) have drawn public criticism.
Many commenters on the publication’s Facebook page expressed frustration, questioning the purpose of MPS if MPs focus primarily on listening without providing solutions.
One commenter remarked, “If I attend the MP session and you tell me you can’t solve the problem, what’s the point of having you in our ward? I have plenty of people willing to listen to me, so there’s no need to come to you.”
Another added, “Listening ear by a highly paid MP who treats public office like a side hustle. PAP candidates are becoming more and more laughable. At least try harder to solve problems, create value, even if you may not be successful all the time.”
Tan had stated on the podcast, The Usual Place, “We can’t solve all problems, (but) we will lend a listening ear. They come to us because they have nobody else to turn to, and they trust us.”
While he intended to highlight empathy and trust-building as key aspects of his role, the comment was perceived by some as an admission of ineffectiveness.
Additional remarks on social media criticised the statement as tone-deaf, with one saying, “Most people who go to the MP to solve issues are not asking them to lend an ear to hear the problem. No one would like to spend hours waiting to see their MP just to be treated as a case for a social worker or psychologist.”
Tan, who became MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC in 2020, is serving his first term in Parliament. In addition to his MP duties, he holds the position of Senior Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office and has served in various government roles since his election.
In the podcast, Tan also discussed the challenges of adapting to his new responsibilities, admitting to experiencing imposter syndrome in his early days. He reflected, “Like it or not, you have to really level up very quickly in any policy position. You are not an expert overnight; we all have to learn.”
While Tan attempted to address the complexities of being an MP and the realities of managing diverse issues, his comments appear to have struck a nerve with the public. A recurring sentiment among critics is that MPs are expected to be problem-solvers who take actionable steps to resolve community concerns, not merely empathetic listeners.
The controversy comes as the country prepares for a general election due by November 2025. This has added pressure on MPs, particularly first-term parliamentarians like Tan, to demonstrate their effectiveness and commitment to their constituents.
Despite the backlash, Tan has expressed resilience in the face of criticism, citing his military background as a source of mental strength. “I learnt to take things a little bit more easy. I actually don’t read a lot of online comments,” he said. “More importantly, it’s about my own stakeholders – people who have put their trust in me.”
During the podcast, Mr Tan also reflected on his involvement in the controversial NTUC Income-Allianz deal, which was ultimately scrapped in late 2024.
The proposed agreement, which would have corporatised NTUC Income and sold shares to German insurer Allianz, faced significant public backlash due to a planned S$1.85 billion capital extraction. Many feared this would undermine NTUC Income’s long-standing mission of providing affordable insurance to lower-income individuals.
Tan, who was serving as NTUC’s Deputy Secretary-General at the time, admitted during a parliamentary debate last year that the NTUC Central Committee—despite fully supporting the deal—had not been briefed on the capital extraction plan until it was publicly disclosed in Parliament.
He explained that while the committee supported corporatisation to enhance NTUC Income’s capital access, the specific details of the deal were not shared with them earlier.
“Sometimes, there may be disagreement in opinions, but we have to continue our path,” Tan said, justifying NTUC’s broader strategic decisions while downplaying the controversy. “As long as I speak the truth, and I’m clear about my conscience, I have nothing to worry about.”
The deal, announced in July 2024, drew widespread criticism, culminating in government intervention. On 14 October 2024, Minister for Culture, Community, and Youth Edwin Tong revealed in Parliament that the government had blocked the transaction, citing concerns about its potential public impact. Allianz subsequently withdrew from the negotiations after the contentious capital extraction clause was removed.
Tan’s remarks on the podcast about the deal have been seen as reflective of his measured, albeit detached, approach. He acknowledged the complexities of balancing public expectations with organisational realities, but his tone led some to question whether the seriousness of the issue had been fully appreciated.
Mr Tan’s handling of the NTUC Income-Allianz saga, along with his “listening ear” comment, has raised questions about his approach to public service, particularly his perceived lack of accountability and proactive action in navigating public trust.

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