Singapore parliament to discuss review of political office holders’ salaries
In Singapore, Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong and Coordinating Minister for Public Services Chan Chun Sing will address parliament with statements on the government’s response to the review of the salaries of political office holders and members of parliament. As Channel NewsAsia reports, the issue will be considered during the parliamentary sitting on September 8.
Statements and debate
The debate on the ministerial statements will take place on September 10 in accordance with Parliament’s Standing Order 44. The remuneration system covers compensation for political appointees, members of parliament and nominated members of parliament.
In January, Chan said that an independent committee had been formed to review the salaries of political office holders. In May, he stated that the committee had completed its work, but the government decided to postpone consideration of its recommendations because of uncertainty related to the conflict in the Middle East.
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Previous reviews
Chan also said at the time that the government would publish the committee’s report together with its response at an appropriate time. According to CNA, the remuneration system and political salaries have not been adjusted since it took effect in May 2011.
The current system was developed by a review committee in 2012. It recommended conducting an independent review every five years. A committee established in 2017 found the system sound and proposed adjusting political salaries annually in line with changes in benchmark salaries, but the government made no changes at the time. In 2023, the planned review was also postponed because of an unstable external situation and risks to the global economy.
