Singapore raises PM pay, vows charity donation

The Times of India reports that Singapore ministers will receive their first salary increase in 15 years, with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong justifying the move as necessary to attract top talent. Under the revised framework, lowest-grade ministers will see benchmark salaries rise to S$1.8 million and the prime minister's to S$3.6 million, though existing officials will initially receive a one-time adjustment of up to 9% starting October 15. Wong stated he will donate his entire salary increase to charity for the next five years while acknowledging that political pay remains a sensitive issue.

India Today reports that Singapore will raise salaries for its political leaders, with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong telling parliament that his benchmark annual pay will increase to SgD 3.6 million. Wong acknowledged that political salaries are a difficult and emotive issue that widens the gap between leaders and ordinary citizens, but argued that high pay is necessary to attract capable people and maintain good governance. He confirmed that existing office holders will receive a one-off adjustment of up to 9% starting October 15, and he will donate his personal pay increase to good causes.

The Economic Times reports that Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will receive a pay raise pushing his annual salary to S$3.6 million, which Reuters notes makes his pay about seven times higher than the US president's salary. Wong acknowledged the political sensitivity of the pay hike in parliament and announced he would donate his personal salary increase to charity for the next five years. He defended the raise as essential for attracting quality political leadership, noting that ministerial pay has been frozen or cut for a decade.