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Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is set to receive a significant hike after the government announced revised salaries for its political leaders and ministers. Wong's annual pay package, including salary and bonuses, will increase from S$2.2 million to S$3.6 million.
Already described as the world's highest-paid head of government, his revised salary will take effect next month, according to The Financial Times.
Wong said he had accepted the recommendations of an independent review into public service pay. The move comes amid domestic disapproval and public debate over the high salaries paid to Singapore's political leaders.
Wong said he will donate increased pay to charity
The Prime Minister said he would donate the additional amount from his pay rise to charity for the next five years, provided he remains in office.
Addressing Parliament, Wong said, "We cannot avoid this issue simply because it is politically difficult, and this is not just a matter of pay. It is ultimately about whether Singapore will continue to have the quality of political leadership we need to take our country forward and to serve Singaporeans well in the years ahead.”
Singapore argued that its high political salaries help attract talented individuals from the private sector and reduce corruption risk.
Ministers and deputy pm also set for higher pay
Other senior political leaders are also expected to receive higher salaries under the changes.
The Deputy Prime Minister's benchmark salary will rise from S$1.8 million to S$3 million, The Guardian reported. Cabinet ministers will receive salaries ranging from S$1.8 million to S$2.8 million, depending on their seniority and responsibilities.
Entry-level ministers could see their salaries rise from around S$1.1 million to S$1.2 million. The government uses the income levels of Singapore's top 1,000 earners as a benchmark for determining political salaries.
Wong said rising salaries in the private sector and civil service had made it necessary to review political pay. “If we want our political system to remain effective, we cannot allow its basic terms of service to drift further and further away from reality,” he was quoted as saying by The Financial Times. He also said the government faces challenges attracting new candidates to enter politics.
Political salaries have remained a sensitive issue
Singapore's high political salaries have long been politically sensitive, with cabinet members earning significantly more than most ordinary citizens. The latest increase is likely to revive debate over ministerial salaries.
Wong's new annual pay package is significantly higher than the salaries of several other world leaders. US President Donald Trump receives an annual salary of $400,000, while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's salary is also considerably lower. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee is among the other highly paid political leaders, with a salary package of around $719,000.
Singapore last made major changes to ministerial salaries in 2012, when political pay was cut by 36% following public criticism. The government reviewed salaries again in 2017, but made no changes.
Already described as the world's highest-paid head of government, his revised salary will take effect next month, according to The Financial Times.
Wong said he had accepted the recommendations of an independent review into public service pay. The move comes amid domestic disapproval and public debate over the high salaries paid to Singapore's political leaders.
Wong said he will donate increased pay to charity
The Prime Minister said he would donate the additional amount from his pay rise to charity for the next five years, provided he remains in office.
Addressing Parliament, Wong said, "We cannot avoid this issue simply because it is politically difficult, and this is not just a matter of pay. It is ultimately about whether Singapore will continue to have the quality of political leadership we need to take our country forward and to serve Singaporeans well in the years ahead.”
Singapore argued that its high political salaries help attract talented individuals from the private sector and reduce corruption risk.
Ministers and deputy pm also set for higher pay
Other senior political leaders are also expected to receive higher salaries under the changes.
The Deputy Prime Minister's benchmark salary will rise from S$1.8 million to S$3 million, The Guardian reported. Cabinet ministers will receive salaries ranging from S$1.8 million to S$2.8 million, depending on their seniority and responsibilities.
Entry-level ministers could see their salaries rise from around S$1.1 million to S$1.2 million. The government uses the income levels of Singapore's top 1,000 earners as a benchmark for determining political salaries.
Wong said rising salaries in the private sector and civil service had made it necessary to review political pay. “If we want our political system to remain effective, we cannot allow its basic terms of service to drift further and further away from reality,” he was quoted as saying by The Financial Times. He also said the government faces challenges attracting new candidates to enter politics.
Political salaries have remained a sensitive issue
Singapore's high political salaries have long been politically sensitive, with cabinet members earning significantly more than most ordinary citizens. The latest increase is likely to revive debate over ministerial salaries.
Wong's new annual pay package is significantly higher than the salaries of several other world leaders. US President Donald Trump receives an annual salary of $400,000, while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's salary is also considerably lower. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee is among the other highly paid political leaders, with a salary package of around $719,000.
Singapore last made major changes to ministerial salaries in 2012, when political pay was cut by 36% following public criticism. The government reviewed salaries again in 2017, but made no changes.
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