2009 will test the character of ministers

Daddy!! SG

now is the golden opportunity to reduce the salary without admitting that it was a policy blunder.

It was a policy blunder because it is known now that private sector CEOs' salaries are not 100% based on performance especially those "bonus culture" of bankers are "bonuses for failures" as described by PM Brown. In which case, these high private sector salaries, which also drives Singapore's private sector especially off-shore banks, are a rip-off against the shareholders and worse now, even tax-payers.

The strong character of Singapore ministers should alienate itself from these global outrage.

Misty cloud SG

I agree. There is this article on "Boom Over - No More Fat Pay For Singapore CEOs" which I've read. The author, who is a renowned writer in the media field, mentioned that it is only morally right that CEOs should tighten their belts and accept lower pay now that Singapore has slipped into its first recession since 2001 and bracing itself for even leaner times ahead. You can read it at

http://www.stratagemconsultants.com/index.php/en/blog

if you're keen to explore more.

But what i question is, can these people really do that? Greed is the bane of all mankind, and civil servants are no different from private sectors' CEO. Remember that guy, Mr. Tan Yong Soon? He actually lacks that sensitivity when he publicises his own travelogue (and indirectly his wealth and extravagence mind you) when everyone is bracing themselves for hard times ahead. And worse, u see the govt justifying and defending their own people! I applaud Makeeda for her frank entry "Serve the public, don't feed off it" on this issue. She's right! What bad PR this is! The govt's image just gets worse by the day as the dirty linen gets uncovered each day...

I wish the govt can start to really do something about their image. It's certainly not helping esp when we are relying on them to tide us thru this crisis and they make themselves seem like a wrong choice.