বাংলাThe Singapore government has decided to raise the annual salaries of the prime minister, ministers and other senior officials. The move will significantly increase the pay package of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who is currently regarded as the world’s highest-paid political leader.
Lawrence Wong currently receives around S$2.2 million a year. Under the new structure, Lawrence Wong’s salary will rise by more than 60% to approximately S$3.6 million annually, equivalent to around US$2.8 million.
Wong has said that he will donate the additional income generated by the pay increase to charities over the next five years. He argued that higher ministerial salaries are necessary to attract capable and qualified people to politics.
The Singapore government has previously argued that relatively high salaries for ministers can also help reduce incentives for corruption. The government says financial considerations can make it difficult for highly paid professionals and business leaders to leave their existing careers and enter politics.
However, the decision has drawn criticism in Singapore. The increase comes at a time when people are concerned about job security and the rising cost of living. The debate over Lawrence Wong’s salary is particularly significant because his pay was already substantially higher than the earnings of most Singaporeans.
Singapore’s median monthly income is currently around S$5,775. Wong acknowledged the criticism but said the government does not want financial barriers to discourage qualified Singaporeans from entering politics and helping build a strong leadership team.
Under the new framework, the basic annual salary of a Singaporean minister will increase from around S$1.1 million to approximately S$1.2 million. Performance-based components could push the annual amount to around S$1.35 million before the end of the current government’s term.
Part of ministers’ additional compensation will be linked to Singapore’s economic and employment performance. Indicators such as unemployment, growth in people’s incomes and GDP growth will be used to determine whether performance-related payments are awarded.
High ministerial salaries have been a longstanding source of debate in Singapore. The ruling People’s Action Party has governed the country since independence, and the relatively high pay of ministers remains one of the issues frequently raised by critics. The latest increase is therefore likely to renew discussion over Lawrence Wong’s salary and Singapore’s approach to political compensation.
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