Prime Minister Lawrence Wong: Higher salaries are not about me or the PAP government

SINGAPORE: Arguably, the biggest news in Singapore this week concerned the increase in political salaries, the first time such a pay raise has occurred in 15 years. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Coordinating Minister for Public Services Chan Chun Sing both spoke on the issue, providing the rationale for the increase.

Mr Wong acknowledged the difficulty around the timing of adjusting political salaries, but called the move a “responsible course to take,” underlining that this ensures top talent would be attracted to a career in political service for the sake of future generations of Singaporeans. 

The Prime Minister himself will see an increase of S$1.4 million in his salary, for a total of S$3.6 million, but announced that he is giving away the full sum of his increase to charity over the next five years, assuming that he remains head of government. 

On Thursday evening (Sept 9), when all was said and done, he thanked the MPs who participated in the debate on political salaries and who put forth their suggestions.

“There were different views on the formula for ministerial salaries, which we will continue to study. But more importantly, there was broad agreement on the changes to be made in this term of government: to update MPs’ allowances for inflation, and to raise ministerial (MR4) salaries initially to up to $1.2 mn, with subsequent performance-based increases to around $1.35 mn by the end of this term. That is below what an inflation-indexed adjustment would have produced,” he wrote in a social media post.

Mr Wong underlined that the agreement between MPs is important, as it shows that there is recognition of the need for a salary framework in Singapore to sustain strong political leadership that, at the same time, upholds the spirit of public service.

He reiterated that Singapore does not believe in using higher pay as an incentive to attract people into politics, and that the important thing is that people who step up have a heart to serve. The Prime Minister added, however, that they and their families should not have to suffer financial burdens unnecessarily, as they would have had successful careers outside government.

“The consensus today gives us confidence to sustain a political system that enables capable Singaporeans to serve with commitment and purpose,” he wrote, adding, “Ultimately, this is not about me, the present team, or even the PAP Government. Whoever governs Singapore will face the same challenge — to assemble the strongest possible team for our country.

We have a responsibility to keep that path open, so that Singapore can continue to be well led, not just today, but for generations to come.” /TISG

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