Harpreet Singh: Singapore is not short of accomplished people willing to forgo large sums to serve

Singapore political figure Harpreet Singh took to social media to discuss the recent salary increase for politicians in Singapore. He pointed out Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's comments regarding the need for higher pay to reduce disincentives for top private-sector talent to enter politics. Wong had approached chief executives and senior business leaders before the 2025 General Election, but none agreed to contest.

Wong emphasized that none of them refused due to salaries, and he wouldn't have wanted them in any case if money was their primary motivation.

Singh then compared Singapore's judicial system to the politicians, noting that the Chief Justice and other top judges come from the very top of the Bar, despite having pay that is significantly lower than that of top lawyers. This, according to Singh, demonstrates that Singapore is not lacking in accomplished individuals willing to forgo large sums to serve.

He acknowledged that judicial and political roles differ but pointed out that in other developed countries, top talent enters politics and takes up cabinet seats where national policy is shaped.

Singh asked what prevents top private-sector talent from joining politics in Singapore. He listed several questions senior individuals might consider before deciding to move. These include whether the organization's vision and direction align with their core values, what the culture rewards, and how open it is to meaningful change.

Singh also pointed out that the People's Action Party (PAP) government may need to reflect on these questions. If a capable outsider perceived the PAP's circle of real influence as small and conformist, and that a certain conformity of thought is required to join, no salary revision would address this issue. The best and most independent-minded candidates for Cabinet positions would decline, and they would be too polite to explain why, Singh argued.