World's highest-paid PM gets salary hike of 9%; pledges to donate difference

Singapore's ministers, among the world's highest-paid government officials, will receive their first salary increase in 15 years. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong justifies the raise, stating it is necessary to attract top talent into politics. The benchmark annual salary for ministers will climb from S$1.1 million to S$1.8 million (approx Rs 8.2 crores to S$13.5 crores) for the lowest grade.

Wong's benchmark will increase from S$2.2 million to S$3.6 million (approx Rs 16.5 crores to Rs 27 crores). The adjustments will not immediately land ministers at those benchmarks but grant a one-time increase of up to 9% from October 15, contingent on their performance and responsibilities. Most ministers at the lowest grade are projected to earn around S$1.35 million by the end of the current term.

Wong has not disclosed his own salary but revealed that a 9% increase would raise it to about S$2.4 million (approx Rs 18 crores). He promised to donate his entire salary boost to charity for the next five years. This salary system remains contentious in Singapore, as ministers typically earn significantly more than the average citizen.

The government defends the system, claiming it is crucial to attract capable individuals from both the private sector and public service while preserving a clean government. Wong noted that ministerial salaries have lagged behind comparable earnings in the private sector and civil service, necessitating the review. The new framework relies on the median income of Singapore's top 1,000 citizen earners, with a 40% discount to account for the unique nature of political service.

The government pledged to review the new framework every five years. Singapore's current political salary system was set after a 2011 review, which cut pay by roughly 36% following public outcry over political salaries. A 2017 review recommended adjustments that were not followed through, and a review planned for 2023 has been postponed.