Singapore to study delinking MP allowances from ministerial salary benchmark

A study is underway in Singapore to develop a new framework for determining the allowances of MPs and mayors, which would not be tied to the starting-level ministerial salary benchmark, according to Coordinating Minister for Public Services Chan Chun Sing on September 8. The review committee handling political salaries has noted that the requirements for community roles like those of MPs and mayors may be distinct from those of full-time political office holders.

The committee suggested that the government conduct a review of a payment structure for these roles, ensuring they are sufficient to carry out duties without being linked to the MR4 benchmark for junior ministers. Currently, MPs' allowances are set at 17.5 percent of the MR4 benchmark annual salary, while the study is ongoing. Meanwhile, the government has decided to increase MP allowances to S$18,500 a month, up from S$13,750, to account for inflation, as recommended by the committee.

The government is also accepting the committee's recommendation to raise the allowance for Non-Constituency MPs (NCMPs) from 15 percent of an MP's annual allowance to 30 percent, which amounts to S$5,550 per month. This increase acknowledges the full voting rights granted to NCMPs since 2017, aligning their allowance with their parliamentary responsibilities.

These revised allowances for MPs, including NCMPs, will take effect starting October 15, coupled with broader salary adjustments. The government has also accepted the committee's suggestion to maintain the current approach for statutory appointment holders, whose salaries are based on the political salary framework. The president's monthly salary will continue to be linked to the prime minister's monthly salary, whereas the speaker's salary remains 50 percent of the MR4 benchmark salary.

The deputy speaker's annual package will remain at 15 percent of the speaker's salary. The committee has recommended further study of the pegs for the speaker and deputy speaker to assess if the packages might better align with the method used for the president's monthly salary, and the government will examine this recommendation.

Salaries for the president, speaker, and deputy speaker will be adjusted in line with the updated MR4 benchmark salary from October 15, with the government expected to introduce the necessary amendments and motions in Parliament in October.