Singapore tightens national bonus criteria for political salaries, including unemployment, income growth
The government also agrees to explore including a ‘robust’ quality-of-life measure in the framework
Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has emphasized the urgent need to raise ministerial salaries, stating that "restraint cannot become neglect". Since their last revision in 2012, ministerial pay has fallen further behind private sector counterparts and even some senior public servants'. In an independent review of Singapore's political salary framework, Wong, who is also Finance Minister, said that action must be taken now to address the issue.
The pay gap is most pronounced when compared to the private sector, but even within the public service, some senior permanent secretaries earn more than ministers. Although multiple administrations have previously resisted adjusting ministerial salaries for various reasons, Wong believes that leaving salaries unchanged would not be the right decision.
The latest review committee, appointed in December 2025, will present its recommendations, which were submitted in April, and the government has accepted them. However, the salaries will not increase in a single step. Wong acknowledged that political salaries are a "difficult and emotive issue" for Singaporeans, but emphasized that it is not just a matter of pay, but about ensuring Singapore maintains the quality of political leadership needed for the country's future.
Written by urgent.news from The Business Times - Singapore's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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