Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has indicated he will explore providing greater transparency on the distribution of salaries and performance bonuses among ministers, responding to public interest in the topic. However, he cautioned against turning ministerial evaluations into a popularity contest, saying such comparisons would be unproductive and not conducive to effective Cabinet functioning.
Speaking during a parliamentary debate on political salary adjustments on September 10, PM Wong emphasized the importance of ministers working collaboratively rather than in isolation. He highlighted that key government decisions often take years to produce results and may be unpopular initially, but are necessary for Singapore’s long-term interests. “If the ministers are judged mainly by what is visible and popular now, we risk encouraging the wrong behaviour,” he said.
Workers’ Party chief Pritam Singh questioned the Government on the exact remuneration for entry-level ministers at the MR4 grade, including their potential maximum bonuses. In response, PM Wong affirmed his openness to releasing broader salary ranges and variable pay information but ruled out disclosing specific ministers’ pay grades or individual bonus amounts. “But giving such information in broad ranges, I think that’s reasonable, and we will consider and study how we can provide such information in the future,” he stated.
Singh also raised concerns that civil servants who transition into ministerial roles might receive a salary increase compared to their previous earnings. PM Wong refuted this, clarifying that no such increases occur and that entering politics often results in a pay cut for civil servants. He added that those who remain in the civil service and perform well are likely to have higher earnings over time than ministers.
The role of mayors was also discussed during the session. Singh inquired about the Government’s intentions regarding the office of mayor and the clarity of their functions, noting that many Singaporeans remain uncertain about their responsibilities. PM Wong defended the value of mayors and the Community Development Councils (CDCs) they lead, citing their role in mobilizing volunteers, addressing local needs, and implementing initiatives like CDC vouchers and the Jobs Nearby scheme, which aims to connect residents with employment opportunities close to home. “I would not want to give up any of these contributions. I am proud of all our mayors and what they do for Singapore,” he said.
The political salary review committee had recommended establishing a separate pay framework for community-related roles such as MPs and mayors, distinct from the MR4 ministerial benchmark. Coordinating Minister for Public Services Chan Chun Sing indicated the Government will engage with stakeholders to develop an appropriate benchmark for these positions.
PM Wong concluded by outlining his approach to assessing Cabinet members, noting he evaluates their overall performance over time rather than judging them based on isolated incidents or media coverage.