Wong defends Singapore political pay rise as necessary
Thestandard · 1 SOURCES1 day ago1 MIN
Summary
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Thursday that he had thought “long and hard” about raising political salaries, but concluded it was necessary to secure capable leadership for the country. He told parliament the move was “the responsible course to take”, as the new pay scale will take effect from October 15.
Key Points
- Wong said in a parliamentary debate on Thursday that ensuring Singapore has capable political leadership in the years ahead is a core responsibility.
- The prime minister’s annual pay will rise by 64% to S$3.6 million, with the increase scheduled to start on October 15.
- A junior minister now earning S$1.1 million a year may see pay rise to as much as S$1.8 million, depending on performance and responsibilities.
- Lawmakers’ monthly pay will increase to S$18,500 from S$13,750 under the revised salary framework.
- The parliamentary debate drew national attention, but only six of Singapore’s 95 elected lawmakers spoke during the discussion.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the comparison is immediate because the report says Singapore’s prime minister remains the world’s highest-paid leader, ahead of Hong Kong’s chief executive on annual pay. The debate also shows how Singapore is again defending high political salaries as a way to attract talent and deter graft, even after a 36% ministerial pay cut in 2012 to ease public discontent.