SINGAPORE RAISES MINISTERIAL SALARIES BY 60 PER CENT

Singapore has announced a substantial one-off pay rise for government ministers, with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's benchmark annual salary increasing from S$2.2m (£1.2m) to S$3.6m (£1.9m). The deputy prime minister's benchmark will rise from S$1.8m to S$3m, whilst cabinet ministers will receive salaries between S$1.8m and S$2.8m depending on seniority and portfolio weight. The increases add more than 60 per cent to ministerial pay benchmarks across the board. Wong stated he would donate his entire salary increase to suitable charitable causes during his term in office.

An independent committee recommended the pay adjustments, marking the first review of ministerial salaries since 2012. The committee was formed in January after a deferral prompted by geopolitical uncertainty linked to conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Existing office holders will not immediately transition to the new benchmarks but will instead receive a one-off adjustment of up to 9 per cent from 15 October, contingent on individual circumstances including performance. Wong acknowledged that political salaries represent a sensitive issue, noting that the sums involved exceed what most citizens earn and that Singapore's ministerial pay already far exceeds that of leaders in the US and other G7 nations.

The Singapore government has historically justified high ministerial salaries as necessary to attract talent and ensure good governance. Singapore is regularly ranked among the world's least corrupt countries. Wong stated that the salary framework ultimately concerns whether Singapore will maintain the quality of political leadership required for the nation's future development, framing the review as essential to prevent ministerial pay from falling further behind market rates.