SMU School of Economics Associate Dean (Faculty, Research) and Professor of Economics Hoon Hian Teck commented on Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s appointment as the Coordinating Minister for Economic and Social Policies. He described DPM Tharman as a key “architect” of Singapore’s economic and social policies in recent years, adding that the introduction of the role is an indication that the government is aware that it must create resources through economic development to keep up with higher social costs, so as to avoid deficits. Prof Hoon also highlighted the importance of formulating policies that are effective at addressing various social needs without compromising economic development, stressing that there must be a right balance between offering greater protection to workers and ensuring that they remain motivated at work.