Public sector salaries must remain realistic or administrative, political leadership quality will decline: SM Lee

The adjustment to political salaries enables Singapore to continue attracting capable people into politics, which, in turn, provides the quality of Government Singapore deserves, said Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Taking to social media on Thursday (Sept 10) after MPs debated the Government's decision to accept the new benchmark level for political salaries recommended by an independent committee, SM Lee explained why public sector salaries must be kept realistic.

"By keeping civil service and political salaries realistic, we have been able to build a high quality civil service, and assemble a strong and capable team of ministers to serve Singapore well."

He added that if public sector salaries are allowed to "fall out of line", then the quality of the administration and political leadership will decline slowly, but irreversibly.

Common ground between PAP, WP

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong also took to social media to share his reflections on the debate.

He noted that while there were different views on the formula for ministerial salaries, which the Government will continue to study, there was ultimately broad agreement on the changes to be made in this term of Government.

This includes raising the benchmark salary for a minister at the MR4 grade — the lowest of four tiers — from $1.1 million to $1.8 million.

The norm annual ministerial wage has remained at $1.1 million since 2011.

But ministerial salaries will not move immediately to the new benchmarks.

Instead, a one-off adjustment of up to 9 per cent will apply, with subsequent performance-based increases to around $1.35 million by the end of this term of Government.

Thereafter, there will be no further special adjustments to close the gap to $1.8 million.

Subsequent changes, if any, will be based on individual performance and responsibilities.

The prime minister said that this common ground matters as it reflects a shared recognition that Singapore needs a salary framework that can sustain a strong political leadership team, while preserving the ethos of public service.

He also reiterated that higher pay is not being used as an incentive to attract people into politics; but rather, ensuring that those who would have successful careers outside government and financial commitments to their families — to not bear an unnecessarily high burden when they enter politics .

Consensus for Singapore's future

"The consensus today gives us confidence to sustain a political system that enables capable Singaporeans to serve with commitment and purpose."

PM Wong, who has pledged to donate the full increase in his salary to suitable good causes , also highlighted that the political salaries adjustment is not about him, the present leaders, or even the People's Action Party Government.

"Whoever governs Singapore will face the same challenge — to assemble the strongest possible team for our country.

"We have a responsibility to keep that path open , so that Singapore can continue to be well led, not just today, but for generations to come," he explained.

This " substantial consensus " was also noted by SM Lee, who urged Singaporeans to continue supporting realistic and practical policies that will help keep Singapore exceptional for many years to come.

李显龙高级部长表示，调整政治薪酬使新加坡能够继续吸引有能力的人才进入政界，从而为新加坡提供应有的政府质量。

周四（9月10日），在国会议员们就政府接受独立委员会建议的政治薪酬新基准水平进行辩论后，李显龙在社交媒体上解释了为什么公共部门的薪酬必须保持合理。

“通过保持公务员和政治人物薪酬的合理性，我们得以建立一支高素质的公务员队伍，并组建一支强大而有能力的部长团队，为新加坡提供优质服务。”

他还补充说，如果允许公共部门的工资“脱离正常水平”，那么行政和政治领导的质量将会缓慢但不可逆转地下降。

人民行动党和工人党之间的共同点

总理黄循财也在社交媒体上分享了他对这场辩论的看法。

他指出，虽然对于部长薪酬的计算公式存在不同意见（政府将继续研究这个问题），但最终对于本届政府任期内将要进行的改革达成了广泛共识。

这包括将 MR4 级（四个级别中最低的级别）部长的基准工资从 110 万美元提高到 180 万美元。

自 2011 年以来，部长级官员的年均工资一直保持在 110 万美元。

但部长级官员的薪酬不会立即调整到新的标准。

取而代之的是，将实行一次性调整，调整幅度最高可达 9%，随后根据绩效增加，到本届政府任期结束时，薪酬将达到约 135 万美元。

此后，将不再进行任何特殊调整以将差距缩小至 180 万美元。

后续如有任何变动，将根据个人表现和职责而定。

总理表示，这一共识至关重要，因为它反映出各方都认识到，新加坡需要一个能够维持一支强大的政治领导团队的薪酬体系，同时又能维护公共服务的精神。

他还重申，提高薪酬并非为了吸引人们从政；而是为了确保那些在政府之外拥有成功事业且对家庭有经济责任的人，在从政时不会背负不必要的沉重负担。

新加坡未来的共识

“今天的共识让我们有信心维持一个能够让有能力的新加坡人尽心尽力、目标明确地为人民服务的政治体系。”

黄之锋总理承诺将增加的薪水全部捐献给合适的慈善事业，他还强调，政治薪酬调整与他本人、现任领导人，甚至人民行动党政府都无关。

“无论谁执掌新加坡，都将面临同样的挑战——为我们的国家组建一支最强大的团队。”

他解释说：“我们有责任保持这条道路畅通，这样新加坡才能继续得到良好的领导，不仅是今天，而且是子孙后代。”

李显龙总理也注意到了这一“实质性共识”，他敦促新加坡人继续支持务实有效的政策，以帮助新加坡在未来许多年里保持卓越地位。