Re: Ministerial pay review committee submits report to PM Lee
SINGAPORE (Dow Jones)--A Singapore government-appointed committee has
recommended sizeable pay cuts for the city-state's political leaders
including the prime minister, government ministers and lawmakers.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong could take a 28% cut to his annual salary,
reducing it to S$2.2 million, while junior government ministers might see
their yearly pay reduced by 31% to S$1.1 million, according to a report
published Wednesday by the committee.
President Tony Tan--who holds a mostly ceremonial post--may see his annual
salary slashed by 51% to S$1.54 million, the report said, adding that most
elected lawmakers could take a 3% cut, reducing their yearly wages to S
$192,500.
Singapore government leaders are among the best paid globally, a fact that
has stirred public disquiet in recent years. High ministerial salaries and
rising income inequality, among other issues, contributed to the ruling
People's Action Party taking in the May 2011 general election its
narrowest victory since Singapore became a nation in 1965.
In response, Prime Minister Lee set up the committee weeks after the
elections to review political salaries, and said the government will base
new salaries on its recommendations.
The committee also suggested changes to pay structures for elected
officials and certain political appointees, which include adjusting the
formulae for calculating ministerial pay and bonuses, and removing certain
pensions and allowances currently granted to ministers.
Parliament will debate the report's findings later this month. If
accepted, the new pay structures will be backdated to May 21, 2011,
although Singapore's government leaders will still rank among the highest
paid world-wide.