Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is set for a major salary increase, with his benchmark annual pay rising by S$1.4 million (about US$1 million) as the city-state introduces a one-off pay boost for government ministers.
Wong’s benchmark annual salary will increase from S$2.2 million (about US$1.7 million) to S$3.6 million (about US$2.8 million), representing an increase of more than 60%.
The increase comes despite Singaporean ministers already being among the highest-paid political leaders in the world. The government has defended the high salaries as necessary to attract capable people into politics and maintain strong standards of governance.
Under the new benchmarks, the Deputy Prime Minister’s annual salary will rise from S$1.8 million to S$3 million. Cabinet ministers will receive between S$1.8 million and S$2.8 million, depending on the seniority and responsibilities of their portfolios.
Wong said he would donate his entire salary increase to “suitable good causes” for as long as he remains in office.
He acknowledged that political salaries are a sensitive issue in Singapore, particularly because ministers earn substantially more than most ordinary citizens.
“Political salaries are a difficult and emotive issue,” Wong said, noting that the amounts involved were higher than what most Singaporeans earn.
“I understand why Singaporeans scrutinise them closely, and why many feel strongly about the matter.”
However, Wong said the issue ultimately concerned whether Singapore could continue attracting the quality of political leadership needed to guide the country in the coming decades.
“Our starting point is this: good government depends on good leadership,” he said.
Singapore last reviewed ministerial salaries 15 years ago and is regularly ranked among the world’s least corrupt countries.
Wong said the latest increases were recommended by an independent committee. Existing ministers will not immediately receive the full new benchmark salaries.
Instead, they will receive a one-off adjustment of up to 9% from October 15, depending on individual circumstances, including performance.
Even before the latest increase, Singapore’s prime minister was already paid considerably more than the leaders of major Western countries. The US president earns US$400,000 a year, while the UK prime minister receives about US$230,000.
