SDP: Peg ministers' salaries to poorest 20
percent
WEDNESDAY, 30 NOVEMBER 2011
Singapore Democrats
When the man in command thinks of a quiet and peaceful retirement
in modest circumstances, there is hope of progress in the
country.
The above statement was made by Mr Lee Kuan Yew in 1963. But that
was then. Now, PAP ministers demand millions of
dollars to serve in the cabinet.
This change in attitude, made by Mr Lee Kuan Yew himself in the
late 1980s, was the basis of the Singapore Democrats' landmark
paper entitled Ethical Salaries for a Public Centered
Government which was launched this eveining at the
Quality Hotel.
Prepared by the SDP's Policy Unit headed by Dr James Gomez, the
paper calls for a re-evaluation of the ministers' motivation in
serving in public office. It questions the ministers' dedication to
serving the nation when they look to rewarding themselves
financially instead of performing in the sacrificial spirit of
public service.
The paper points out that "Those who aspire to govern the country
must be imbibed with a strong sense of selflessness and love for
the nation. To enrich oneself financially for one's service to
one's country is incompatible with such a type of
leadership."
The first comprehensive and in-depth look at ministerial salaries
conducted by a political party, the publication notes that
ministers' salaries are excessive and that they should not include
bonuses (which added to 24 months of the basic salary in
2011).
In his presentation, Dr Gomez said: "Ministers must be compensated
fairly but at current levels the pay is excesive. Compared to heads
of government around the world, the prime minister is way
above."
The paper makes five key recommendations to rein in the high
salaries:
http://yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/5059-sdp-peg-ministers-salaries-to-poorest-20-percent-
