I think Singapore is unique, in that Singapore is paying its
civil servants really well.
This is comparable and it is throughout the civil service
structure, from the president, PM, Ministers, MPs, down to deputies
or director-generals etc, down to police sargeants and school
teachers.
I think this is really good.
Perhaps, nobody complain about police sargeants and school
teachers, but only complain about those politically-active
positions, such as ministers, MPs, and so on.
I see a comparison between TT Durai 600k salary in the charity
sector and how it is inappropriate, and it is used as an
illustration that people in politically-active positions in the
political sector are similarly expected to have reasonable salary
only.
For me I can understand this expectation that politicans are looked
upon as a kind of social service, and some degree of altruism is
expected.
However in light of the general renumeration structure, I think it
is impossible to lower their pay without lowering the entire pay
scale, thus also affecting everybody including police sargeants and
school teachers.
For me, I just like to think in positive way. This system has
attracted and maintained talents relatively well, and it should be
kept and improved.
Singapore is very unique. Not only it has a low corruption and an
efficient bureaucracy, it is also promoting meritocracy, and
heavily sponsoring scholarships. The civil service is not run by
rejects, but by scholars and technocrats. Many MPs are doctors and
lawyers.
However this system is always attracting critisism from people who
feel that politicians in Singapore are not fulfilling the ideal
image of a self-sacrificing social servant.
I think this schism is unfortunate and is distracting what is
otherwise a perfect system. Perhaps we should all look at the
bigger picture and appreciate its advantages more.
Meat Pao.
