Ministerial statement: Lawrence Wong on government response to political salaries review
The government has accepted the recommendations of an independent committee reviewing political salaries in Singapore, but it will not move to the proposed pay levels in one step. So, while the MR4 annual pay benchmark for ministers will rise from S$1.1 million to S$1.8 million, there will be an up to nine per cent one-off adjustment, taking effect from Oct 15, which works out to about S$1.2 million if given in full. Any subsequent changes will be based on individual performance and responsibilities. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced this in parliament on Tuesday (Sep 8). He himself will donate his full salary increase to good causes for the next five years. There will also be changes to ministerial grades and salary ranges. Mr Wong said the revised structure will allow more room to differentiate pay according to performance and help bring in people with substantial experience from outside government. Meanwhile, MPs’ monthly allowances will rise from S$13,750 to S$18,500. Mr Wong noted that salary norms for political office holders have remained unchanged for 15 years, even as salaries elsewhere have moved. Acknowledging that political salaries are “an emotive issue”, he explained that it is not just about pay, but whether Singapore can continue to attract the quality of leadership it needs. Future prime ministers must have the best chance of building strong teams, he added.
The government has accepted the recommendations of an independent committee reviewing political salaries in Singapore, but it will not move to the proposed pay levels in one step. So, while the MR4 annual pay benchmark for ministers will rise from S$1.1 million to S$1.8 million, there will be an up to nine per cent one-off adjustment, taking effect from Oct 15, which works out to about S$1.2 million if given in full. Any subsequent changes will be based on individual performance and responsibilities. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced this in parliament on Tuesday (Sep 8). He himself will donate his full salary increase to good causes for the next five years. There will also be changes to ministerial grades and salary ranges. Mr Wong said the revised structure will allow more room to differentiate pay according to performance and help bring in people with substantial experience from outside government. Meanwhile, MPs’ monthly allowances will rise from S$13,750 to S$18,500. Mr Wong noted that salary norms for political office holders have remained unchanged for 15 years, even as salaries elsewhere have moved. Acknowledging that political salaries are “an emotive issue”, he explained that it is not just about pay, but whether Singapore can continue to attract the quality of leadership it needs. Future prime ministers must have the best chance of building strong teams, he added.
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