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View Full Version : First Post Election PAP Gaffe Goes to Lim Wee Kiak. Highest Pay = Possess Dignity



wenqing
27-05-11, 15:49
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/reasonable-pay-help-maintain-bit-dignity-084833549.html

‘Reasonable pay will help to maintain a bit of dignity’

Member of Parliament Lim Wee Kiak (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=lim+wee+kiak&fr=fp-today&cs=bz) of the Nee Soon group representation constituency (GRC) defended ministerial salaries by saying a reasonable payout helped maintain "dignity" for politicians.

He was quickly slammed by netizens, many of whom pointed out in various posts on the Web that "dignity" should not be justified by salary alone.

The multi-million dollar pay of ministers was a hot-button issue in Singapore's recent General Election, which saw the ruling People's Action Party win 81 out of 87 seats but at a significantly lower share of the total votes.

Following the results, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=lee+hsien+loong&fr=fp-today&cs=bz) announced the formation of a committee to review the "basis and level of political salaries". Any pay changes would take effect from 21 May this year.

"If the annual salary of the Minister of Information, Communication and Arts is only $500,000, it may pose some problems when he discuss policies with media CEOs who earn millions of dollars because they need not listen to the minister's ideas and proposals. Hence, a reasonable payout will help to maintain a bit of dignity," Dr Lim told LianHe ZaoBao in Chinese.

In reaction, Francis Oen (http://www.facebook.com/weekiak/posts/122048304544317) postedon Facebook: "Hi Wee Kiat.. Suggest you clarify your statement. Does it mean that only $ talks?! ... And if someone earns less, does it mean he cannot have dignity?"

Winnie Lim (http://twitter.com/#%21/wynlim) tweeted: "So according to Dr Lim Wee Kiak's theory, our ministers will ignore Obama because he earns less than all of them."

On his Facebook (http://en-gb.facebook.com/weekiak) page, Dr Lim said that his quote was taken out of context.
"Minister's pay issue is a sensitive one. There must be a balance. After all, capable individuals who are willing to come forward to serve should not so because of pay and perks," he replied to a user's question about his quote.


He added, "On the other hand, they do have families and dependents and need to consider for retirement, etc."


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wenqing
27-05-11, 15:50
One-Third Revenue from GST Increase goes to Minister Pay Increment

How well is well-paid?

By Tan Hui Leng and Jasmie Yen, TODAY | Posted: 10 April 2007 1028

They expressed support for the need to pay top dollar for top talent in the public sector.

But Members of Parliament (MPs) who took part in yesterday's parliamentary debate on the pay hike also spoke passionately about what many Singaporeans believe to be the heart of the issue: The benchmarking formula used to determine ministerial pay.

Ang Mo Kio MP Inderjit Singh noted that Singaporeans could not expect their leaders to serve based on altruism alone. "Are we willing to leave the future of the country to chance, that we will get good people who will give up their competence without caring about their salary?" he asked.

Some MPs, however, saw problems in benchmarking ministers' pay to the private sector, pointing out to disparities in the risks taken by company chief executives and ministers and top civil servants.

Marine Parade MP Lim Biow Chuan said: "I struggle to understand what a top Admin Officer aged 32 at grade SR9 has to worry about that will justify him receiving $363,000 a year … From many people's perspectives, they take no personal risk and are at best, paid employees."

Opposition MPs Mr Chiam See Tong (Potong Pasir) and Hougang's Low Thia Khiang took issue with the fact that Singapore's ministers are paid more than their counterparts in developed countries.

MPs like Bishan-Toa Payoh's Mrs Josephine Teo, however, pointed out that ministers in other countries may make more money after their term in office ends, such as through public speaking.

Some MPs voiced concerns about the timing of announcing the pay revisions, especially with the Goods and Services Tax (GST) due to rise to 7 per cent in July.

Mr Singh said: "How do we answer the man-in-the-street when we're told that about one-quarter to one-third of the expected revenue increase this year from the GST is going to be for the proposed ministerial and civil service salary increases, about $240 million, I was told?"

Mr Low also referred to the recent debate on increasing the amounts for public assistance. "It's also ironic that we are consuming taxpayers' money and … discussing how much more of a fraction of a million to pay civil servants and ministers while we haggle over additional tens of dollars to hand out to our needy and disadvantaged citizens," he said.

Some MPs who supported the pay hike also suggested that the salary benchmarking could be finetuned, such as pegging ministers' salaries to more realistic markers such as top men in private equity firms and top companies based on market capitalisation.

wenqing
27-05-11, 15:52
MINISTER Mentor Lee Kuan Yew called for a sense of proportion yesterday, pointing out that the annual wage bill for ministers and all office holders is $46 million - or just 0.022 per cent of Singapore's total economic output.

It was an 'absurdity', he said, for Singaporeans to quarrel over whether ministers collectively should be paid $10 million or $20 million more, when an economy worth $210 billion was at stake

'The cure to all this talk is really a good dose of incompetent government,' he said in his first comments on impending salary increases for ministers and top civil servants. 'You get that alternative and you'll never put Singapore together again.'

Singaporeans' asset values would also disappear, he warned, adding that 'your apartment will be worth a fraction of what it is, your jobs will be in peril, your security will be at risk and our women will become maids in other people's countries'.

He said the present system of benchmarking ministers' pay to top private sector salaries was 'completely above board' and allowed the Government to recruit 'some of the very best' to lead the country

When it was put to him that people hoped for leaders who were willing to make sacrifices and who were not there for the money, he replied that these were 'admirable sentiments'. But he added that 'we live in the real world'.

His bottom line: if the Government could not pay competitive salaries, Singapore would not be able to compete and 'we're not going to live well'.

wenqing
27-05-11, 15:56
http://www.transitioning.org/2010/02/19/worlds-richest-and-best-paid/

The TOP 30 highest paid politicians in the World are all from Singapore !!

1. Elected President SR Nathan – S$3.9 million.
2. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong – S$3.8 million.
3. Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew – S$3.5 million.
4. Senior Minister Goh Chok Thong – S$3.5 million.
5. Senior Minister Prof Jayakumar – S$3.2 million.
6. DPM & Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng – S$2.9 million.
7. DPM & Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean – $2.9 million
8. Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo – S$2.8 million.
9. National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan – S$2.7 million.
10. PMO Miniser Lim Boon Heng – S$2.7 million.
11. Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang – S$2.7 million.
12. PMO Minister Lim Swee Say – S$2.6 million.
13. Environment Minister & Muslim Affairs Minister Dr Yaccob Ibrahim – S$2.6 million.
14. Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan – S$2.6 million.
15. Finance Minister S Tharman – S$2.6 million.
16. Education Minister & 2nd Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen – S$2.6 million.
17. Community Development Youth and Sports Minister – Dr Vivian Balakrishnan – S$2.5 million.
18. Transport Minister & 2nd Minister for Foreign Affairs Raymond Lim Siang Kiat – S$2.5 million.
19. Law Minister & 2nd Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam – S$2.4 million.
20. Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong – S$2.2 million.
21. PMO Minister Lim Hwee Hwa – S$2.2 million
22. Acting ICA Minister – Lui Tuck Yew – S$2.0 million.
23 to 30 = Senior Ministers of State and Ministers of State – each getting between S$1.8 million to S$1.5 million.

Allthepies
27-05-11, 16:08
yo WQ, u r back :D

ha let's move on and deal with more impt stuffs lah, like spending more time with ur family. whether the ministers get $100million, $40million or $20million or $2million, the extra $$$ save won't go to ur pocket.

sitting here and complaining won't get u anywhere; must work hard for ur own future and for ur family :2cents:

DC33_2008
27-05-11, 16:21
Not just work hard but work smart. Work hard may not get you anywhere. :D
yo WQ, u r back :D

ha let's move on and deal with more impt stuffs lah, like spending more time with ur family. whether the ministers get $100million, $40million or $20million or $2million, the extra $$$ save won't go to ur pocket.

sitting here and complaining won't get u anywhere; must work hard for ur own future and for ur family :2cents:

Allthepies
27-05-11, 16:41
Not just work hard but work smart. Work hard may not get you anywhere. :D

agreed :D opportunities are aplenty in Singapore

DC33_2008
27-05-11, 16:47
You got to be a President scholar in order to be in the radar screen of the garment. SAF overseas scholar is next and PSC scholar is consider the lower grade, etc. PSC scholars under SAF scholars who in turns work under President Scholar. Got to work really smart if one is not in any of the above categories.
agreed :D opportunities are aplenty in Singapore

Allthepies
27-05-11, 16:52
You got to be a President scholar in order to be in the radar screen of the garment. SAF overseas scholar is next and PSC scholar is consider the lower grade, etc. PSC scholars under SAF scholars who in turns work under President Scholar. Got to work really smart if one is not in any of the above categories.

job is just a source of income for other investing activities =) investing activities are applenty in Singapore! that's i feel is the avenue to grow ur wealth:D:2cents::2cents:

DC33_2008
27-05-11, 16:55
Unfortunately the richer you are the more attractive opportunities with better returns. Got to start with a reasonable base, ie. capital.
job is just a source of income for other investing activities =) investing activities are applenty in Singapore! that's i feel is the avenue to grow ur wealth:D:2cents::2cents:

wenqing
27-05-11, 17:15
yo WQ, u r back :D

ha let's move on and deal with more impt stuffs lah, like spending more time with ur family. whether the ministers get $100million, $40million or $20million or $2million, the extra $$$ save won't go to ur pocket.

sitting here and complaining won't get u anywhere; must work hard for ur own future and for ur family :2cents:

Dont worry, copy and pasting 4 posts took less than 1 minute.

For you guys to read and be aware what low quality of PAP MPs Singaporeans get these days.

3000 ++ comments hammering Lim Wee Kiak at Yahoo Singapore.

wenqing
27-05-11, 17:20
agreed :D opportunities are aplenty in Singapore

With such low grade future leaders in PAP, I fear the opportunities in Singapore will get lesser and lesser especially as you all age.

What goes up must come down.

Guess you present batch is going to endure the decline of PAP and period of bad government until another dominant party like maybe WP comes along and refresh Singapore future.

Join me at China lah.

Recent reports says China properties value shooting up real fast.

ay123
27-05-11, 17:30
With such low grade future leaders in PAP, I fear the opportunities in Singapore will get lesser and lesser especially as you all age.

What goes up must come down.

Guess you present batch is going to endure the decline of PAP and period of bad government until another dominant party like maybe WP comes along and refresh Singapore future.

Join me at China lah.

Recent reports says China properties value shooting up real fast.

many mei mei also right!!!

extremme
27-05-11, 18:07
Ooooh, WQ welcome back!

Regulators
27-05-11, 18:54
So open corruption is ok for you and closed corruption is not ok? Corruption comes in many forms and some can even be lawful
yo WQ, u r back :D

ha let's move on and deal with more impt stuffs lah, like spending more time with ur family. whether the ministers get $100million, $40million or $20million or $2million, the extra $$$ save won't go to ur pocket.

sitting here and complaining won't get u anywhere; must work hard for ur own future and for ur family :2cents:

westman
27-05-11, 21:19
LWK apologised and has withdrew his remarks officially today.

http://www.temasekreview.com/2011/05/27/backlash-from-netizens-forced-dr-lim-wee-kiat-to-apologize-for-comments-on-ministerial-pay/

The massive backlash from the online community has forced PAP MP Dr Lim Wee Kiat to apologize for his remarks made on ministerial pay.

In an interview with Lianhe Zaobao on 23 May 2011, Dr Lim was quoted as saying:

“If the annual salary of the Minister of Information, Communication and Arts is only $500,000, it may pose some problems when he discuss policies with media CEOs who earn millions of dollars because they need not listen to the minister’s ideas and proposals, hence a reasonable payout will help to maintain abit of dignity.”

[Source: Zaobao.com]

Dr Lim’s comments sparked a furore in cyberspace with many netizens lampooning him for measuring dignity with the amount of money one make.

One day later, Dr Lim backtracked and claimed that he was ‘quoted out of context’ by the media:

“It is sad when things are quoted out of context and when they do not report the whole thing.”

Dr Lim’s feeble attempt to explain himself only led to more merciless flaming by netizens and caused him to change his story again saying that his comment was meant as a ‘joke’.

After stirring more controversies with his repeated Freudian slips, Dr Lim finally ate the humble pie and issued an apology on his Facebook today:

“On further reflection, I agree that the example I quoted regarding a MICA minister meeting the heads of telcos and saying that there may be some loss of face if the minister’s salary is low is inappropriate and incorrect. I withdraw those remarks and apologise for making them. Dignity cannot be and must not be measured purely in monetary terms.”

Despite his apology, the now infamous statement will ‘haunt’ Dr Lim for the rest of his political career just like how Dr Vivian Balakrishnan is now known for his ‘how much do want?’ remark made in parliament in 2007.

westman
27-05-11, 21:21
With such low grade future leaders in PAP, I fear the opportunities in Singapore will get lesser and lesser especially as you all age.

What goes up must come down.

Guess you present batch is going to endure the decline of PAP and period of bad government until another dominant party like maybe WP comes along and refresh Singapore future.

Join me at China lah.

Recent reports says China properties value shooting up real fast.

Which part of china? Me going there very frequently....

ysyap
27-05-11, 21:22
Way to go WQ, doing what you do best... to save us the trouble of looking far for all these govt related information and news... cheers!!!:cheers1:

devilplate
27-05-11, 22:15
Wq pr or singaporean?

ysyap
27-05-11, 22:32
Think he's Singaporean lah... if don't remember wrongly, he mentioned he used to vote for PAP but then... so should be Singaporean lah...:D

sh
27-05-11, 23:35
WQ.... keep the dirt on the garment coming.... like to stay "informed" :D

Allthepies
28-05-11, 00:45
So open corruption is ok for you and closed corruption is not ok? Corruption comes in many forms and some can even be lawful

getting a higher pay is corruption and getting a lower pay is not corruption :confused: sorry don't get u :D

that's beside the point; my main point is that there are more important things to do like spending time with ur family, going out with ur love ones, socializing with your close friends rather than forcing other people to take a lower pay =)

Regulators
28-05-11, 08:13
You used the word 'getting' so you must next ask yourself getting from who and is at least 80% of the who even agreeable with it? Many people in singapore are far dissociated from what people at the top do so they often adopt a nonchalant attitude. This speaks of the political maturity of the society and a shift away from just looking at oneself. This is also the reason why we are far from achieving a civil society like the west and Asians in general are just too self-consumed with their own things.
getting a higher pay is corruption and getting a lower pay is not corruption :confused: sorry don't get u :D

that's beside the point; my main point is that there are more important things to do like spending time with ur family, going out with ur love ones, socializing with your close friends rather than forcing other people to take a lower pay =)

Regulators
28-05-11, 10:18
For an mp to say that drawing a minimal salary to serve the country is undignified comes to show this mp has lost his moral compass totally. Pap prides on being able to recruit the best people, so is a person who makes such a statement considered the best candidate for the job?

amk
28-05-11, 13:03
..we are far from achieving a civil society like the west and Asians in general are just too self-consumed with their own things.

Wow can't believe u worship the west until like that :cool:

Pls remove the "we". I certainly do not share this view :simmering:

Regulators
28-05-11, 14:39
I don't worship the west, but they certainly provide better civics education in schools than singapore. Have you ever even attended a lesson in a singapore school that teaches anything about our responsibilities as a global citizen or human rights? Singaporeans were taught and have all along been taught never to question and just follow, which is evident in the way many forumers here who are resigned to everything the govt does. Is this the kind of civics education we have in singapore? :doh:
Wow can't believe u worship the west until like that :cool:

Pls remove the "we". I certainly do not share this view :simmering:

wenqing
28-05-11, 18:36
getting a higher pay is corruption and getting a lower pay is not corruption :confused: sorry don't get u :D

that's beside the point; my main point is that there are more important things to do like spending time with ur family, going out with ur love ones, socializing with your close friends rather than forcing other people to take a lower pay =)

These are mutually exclusive and not inter-dependent.

You still can spend time with family and enjoy your life while keeping an eye on current affairs.

Using your theory, all civil servants have no life because their job is to meet expectations of taxpayers and current affairs.

Voters have no life at election year because current affairs plays a part in their voting decisions.

Allthepies
29-05-11, 01:46
Have you ever even attended a lesson in a singapore school that teaches anything about our responsibilities as a global citizen or human rights?

i only attended lessons in Singapore that taught us to be responsible to our families and home first =) not as noble to be responsible global citizen :tongue3:and what is actually a responsible global citizen role? Is it to make sure that u crash the world economy once in a few years to drag everyone into deep shit? :D

DC33_2008
29-05-11, 10:42
Looking forward to presidential election. Wonder if Tarmugi will be PAP's nomination? I believe Cheng Bok is not planted by PAP. He may be in late Ong TC's camp. Too bad! Tan Kin Lian not contesting.

Regulators
29-05-11, 12:13
if the west is as self centred as us, we would still be under japanese rule
i only attended lessons in Singapore that taught us to be responsible to our families and home first =) not as noble to be responsible global citizen :tongue3:and what is actually a responsible global citizen role? Is it to make sure that u crash the world economy once in a few years to drag everyone into deep shit? :D

ysyap
29-05-11, 15:08
Looking forward to presidential election. Wonder if Tarmugi will be PAP's nomination? I believe Cheng Bok is not planted by PAP. He may be in late Ong TC's camp. Too bad! Tan Kin Lian not contesting.So the confirmed candidate list will be out soon? Those who missed on casting their votes in Tanjong Pagar will finally have a chance? :p

marktkt22
29-05-11, 23:46
seriously ...what risks SR9 face...
if we lost money in BOA...it the market fault.
if they made money in citi... it their brillance...
anyway, no KPI to link money lost with peformance.....
the system has breed a set of highly paid professional that canot survive outside the system...:)




One-Third Revenue from GST Increase goes to Minister Pay Increment

How well is well-paid?

By Tan Hui Leng and Jasmie Yen, TODAY | Posted: 10 April 2007 1028

They expressed support for the need to pay top dollar for top talent in the public sector.

But Members of Parliament (MPs) who took part in yesterday's parliamentary debate on the pay hike also spoke passionately about what many Singaporeans believe to be the heart of the issue: The benchmarking formula used to determine ministerial pay.

Ang Mo Kio MP Inderjit Singh noted that Singaporeans could not expect their leaders to serve based on altruism alone. "Are we willing to leave the future of the country to chance, that we will get good people who will give up their competence without caring about their salary?" he asked.

Some MPs, however, saw problems in benchmarking ministers' pay to the private sector, pointing out to disparities in the risks taken by company chief executives and ministers and top civil servants.

Marine Parade MP Lim Biow Chuan said: "I struggle to understand what a top Admin Officer aged 32 at grade SR9 has to worry about that will justify him receiving $363,000 a year … From many people's perspectives, they take no personal risk and are at best, paid employees."

Opposition MPs Mr Chiam See Tong (Potong Pasir) and Hougang's Low Thia Khiang took issue with the fact that Singapore's ministers are paid more than their counterparts in developed countries.

MPs like Bishan-Toa Payoh's Mrs Josephine Teo, however, pointed out that ministers in other countries may make more money after their term in office ends, such as through public speaking.

Some MPs voiced concerns about the timing of announcing the pay revisions, especially with the Goods and Services Tax (GST) due to rise to 7 per cent in July.

Mr Singh said: "How do we answer the man-in-the-street when we're told that about one-quarter to one-third of the expected revenue increase this year from the GST is going to be for the proposed ministerial and civil service salary increases, about $240 million, I was told?"

Mr Low also referred to the recent debate on increasing the amounts for public assistance. "It's also ironic that we are consuming taxpayers' money and … discussing how much more of a fraction of a million to pay civil servants and ministers while we haggle over additional tens of dollars to hand out to our needy and disadvantaged citizens," he said.

Some MPs who supported the pay hike also suggested that the salary benchmarking could be finetuned, such as pegging ministers' salaries to more realistic markers such as top men in private equity firms and top companies based on market capitalisation.

marktkt22
30-05-11, 00:20
not sure you remember, few years back...
some smart alec decided that cab can only stop in yellow box to pick up/alight passengers in city...
in the first few weeks , stringent enforcement by TP... no cabs dared to stop outside the yellow box.... months later...who care...
and now...i think even the box was erased away...last few years..

what happended to the smart alex who devised this policy ...and the risks of wrong and ridiculous policy ... business as usual. I sure love this type of job..all gain, no risks.:tsk-tsk: head u win, tails i lose.

patricia
30-05-11, 08:48
not sure you remember, few years back...
some smart alec decided that cab can only stop in yellow box to pick up/alight passengers in city...
in the first few weeks , stringent enforcement by TP... no cabs dared to stop outside the yellow box.... months later...who care...
and now...i think even the box was erased away...last few years..

what happended to the smart alex who devised this policy ...and the risks of wrong and ridiculous policy ... business as usual. I sure love this type of job..all gain, no risks.:tsk-tsk: head u win, tails i lose.I feel that their easy money and life are numbered. PM said they are slaves to the citizen:cool:

wenqing
14-09-11, 16:01
http://www.asiaone.com/a1news/20070402_story11_1.html

PSD dispels myths on ministers, civil servants pay


It responds to public's misperceptions of civil service salaries, perks and pensions

Apr 2, 2007

AsiaOne



The salaries of Singapore's ministers and top civil servants have fallen to 55 per cent of the benchmark compared to private sector, and they should be earning $2.2 million, according to the Public Service Division.


Their current salary of $1.2 million is an all-inclusive package covering bonues, and one-third of this package is currently variable.

The PSD disclosed these in response to readers' letters to The Straits Times and online comments on the pay, perks and pensions of ministers and top civil servants, after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said at the annual Administrative Service dinner on March 22, that public service salaries had fallen behind the public sector.



Details of salary changes across the civil service will be announced in Parliament on April 9.

The salaries of ministers and top civil servants are pegged at two-thirds of the median income of the top eight earners in each of six professions.

Despite the current salary shortfall, some Singaporeans have questioned if there were hidden benefits not listed as part of the salary, which would make make the civil servants' position better than it seemed.

The PSD said the figure of $1.2 million is the maximum amount they can receive, since it includes all bonuses and variable component.

About one-third of this annual salary package is variable and depends on the minister or civil servant's performance as well as Singapore's economic situation, it told The Straits Times.


On pensions, the PSD said these are not calculated based on total annual salary packages, and that currently only about half of a minister's montly salary is pensionable.


And contrary to popular belief, ministers do no receive perks like free certificates of entitlement (COEs) or a waiver on maid levies and taxes, said the PSD.

Labour chief Lim Swee Say, commenting on the proposed pay rise, said it is in the workers' interest as it ensures the Government will continue to attract the top talent.


Only with good leaders would Singapore remain afloat in an increasingly competitive global economy, which in turn ensures workers will continue to have jobs, said Mr Lim.

PSD's responses to comments from the publicSALARIES


Q: Do ministers and administrative officers (AOs) get bonuses on top of the $1.2 million they receive a year?
A: Public Service Division: The annual salary figure of $1.2 million includes all components – monthly pay, mid- and year-end payments, allowances, performance bonuses and GDP bonus. There are no other payments.


Q: Do ministers holding more than one portfolio receive additional salaries?
A: A minister receives one salary, even if he holds two or more portfolios.


Q: Do ministers have key performance indicators or performance appraisals?
A: They are appraised by the Prime Minister. A large part of their pay is linked to individual performance and how the economy is doing. Currently, a third of their package is performance-related.

Q: What about the view that ministers enjoy a secure job, with none of the risks experienced by top earners in the private sector?
A: Ministers do not have guaranteed tenures. They face general elections every five years. :doh: :doh: (Sporeans face appraisal every day, every week,every month,every year so Sporeans pay should be highest ??)


PERKS


Q: What kinds of medical benefits do ministers and AOs receive?
A: Ministers are on the Medisave-cum-Subsidised Outpatient Scheme, like the majority of civil servants. They do not receive any hospitalisation benefits.

Instead, ministers receive 1 per cent of salary (capped at $70 a month and at 17 months a year) paid into their Medisave. They can use this to buy health insurance plans. For outpatient treatment, it is capped at $350 a year for each minister.

Ministers co-pay 15 per cent of medical expenses at restructured hospitals. Where it is for his dependents, such as spouse and children up to 18 years, the minister co-pays 40 per cent.

But this is all subject to a cap of $350 per year. Any unused amount at the end of the year is put into the minister's Medisave account. There are no extra benefits for them or their spouse or children. Their parents do not get medical benefits.

It is similar for AOs who joined after January 1994.

Q: Do ministers and AOs enjoy additional perks?
Ans: Ministers do not receive any perks. The salary is everything there is. They pay their own COEs, ERP, maid levies and taxes. The official car can be used for official purposes only, not for personal use.

It is the same for AOs.

For networking purposes, senior AOs take up golf memberships at corporate rates but they pay subscription and membership fees out of their own pocket.


PENSIONS
Q: Do ministers and AOs receive pensions?
A: Only those who have served at least eight years as an office holder (for example, minister or minister of state) qualify for a pension.

Since 1994, the pensionable salary component at each grade has been frozen. All subsequent salary increases, whether in the form of monthly adjustments or increase in annual components, are non-pensionable.
The pensions for ministers are not calculated based on the total annual salary package each year.

Bonuses, allowances and other annual salary components are not included in the calculation of the minister's pension.

Only the pensionable portion of the minister's monthly salary is used and the actual pension also depends on the length of pensionable service. Currently, only about half of the monthly salary of a minister is pensionable.

As for post-retirement medical benefits, all office-holders, including ministers who qualify for pensions, continue on the Medisave-cum-Subsidised Outpatient Scheme. They do not get free medical after retirement.

For administrative officers to qualify for a pension, they must have served for at least 15 years. But they lose the pension once they resign from service.

As with ministers, only about half of AOs' monthly salaries are pensionable.
Also, MPs appointed after Jan 1, 1995 are no longer eligible for pensions.

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE

Q: Some observers believe that under-performing AOs are allowed to remain in the service. Is this true?
A: The appraisal system is rigorous. There is an annual assessment on performance and potential by his boss, the permanent secretary.
Officers of the same seniority are then grouped, ranked and graded good, average or poor.

Non-performers are not given performance bonuses. And those who do not meet the retention requirement are asked to leave the Administrative Service.

Q: Is it true that only scholars can join the Administrative Service (AS) and once admitted, they can stay on indefinitely?
A: The AS takes in officers at all levels, including those who do not come through the scholar route. It also takes in mid-career entrants, whether from the private or public sectors.

Admission and retention criteria for the AS are much stricter than the civil service.

To remain, the officer must show the potential to become at least a Deputy Secretary or chief executive of a statutory board.

Those without this potential, even if they are good performers, will be asked to leave the AS. Some choose to resign while others continue to contribute in other parts of the public sector.

CIVIL SERVICE


Q: The civil service is said to be an iron rice bowl where poor performers are tolerated. How true is this?
A: The Civil Service takes a tough stance on under-performers. Those who do not meet job expectations are counselled and given an opportunity to improve. If they fail to do so, they are asked to leave.

In recent years, an increasing number of government agencies have been recruiting staff on fixed term contracts. Only good officers are offered permanent positions subsequently.



Readers' comments in AsiaOne forum:
While comparing the govt salaries with private sector is fine and good, it is NOT the same as there is hardly significant accountability or transparency in the performance of govt servants, administrators, ministers,etc.

When the opposition challenges some of these performance issues like Shin Corp, Micropolis, etc, they or the public were not given satisfactory answers and further to this, no corrective actions were made known to the public.


Singapore already has the most well-paid civil servants and ministers in the world. It is difficult to comprehend how much more pay do the ministers and civil service need to motivate and live well.

Until the government can objectively be transparent and fully accountable in their review of the performance of each govt minister and top civil servant, it is difficult to see how the comparison between the public sector and private sector can be the same. - Chung Wui Cheng


What use is a clean government run by well-paid, well-fed civil servants and political elite that only look after the interests of the "haves" and "foreign talents" but cares little for those old and beyond "employablilty" who are subsisting on public assistance, giving them barely enough to cover their 3 meals?

Dr. Lily Neo's pleas falls on deaf ears, and we are talking about increasing salaries of those elite few that are already paid tens of thousands a month.

What kind of system are we moving towards. I don't agree a single word with any of the ministers' clamour to justify another round of hefty pay hikes for the people whom I feel are already too well paid. - Nicholas


I don't think that it should be pegged to the scale of the private sector. Firstly, it is a different kind of job scope. There are tools to measure the capability of the individuals in the private sector.

If they don't do well, there is no hesitation to terminate their services but does the government do that?.

What if the ministers don't do their work? Will they be replaced immediately? - Chua Chin Heng

land118
14-09-11, 20:05
How can anyone in Singapore Government or Public service be paid more than the USA President (the most powerful man on this planet by appointment)?:doh:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_the_United_States

Extracted:

"Compensation

The president earns a $400,000 annual salary, along with a $50,000 annual expense account, a $100,000 non-taxable travel account and $19,000 for entertainment.[47][48] The most recent raise in salary was approved by Congress and President Bill Clinton in 1999 and went into effect in 2001."

howgozit
15-09-11, 00:16
How can anyone in Singapore Government or Public service be paid more than the USA President (the most powerful man on this planet by appointment)?:doh:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_the_United_States

Extracted:

"Compensation

The president earns a $400,000 annual salary, along with a $50,000 annual expense account, a $100,000 non-taxable travel account and $19,000 for entertainment.[47][48] The most recent raise in salary was approved by Congress and President Bill Clinton in 1999 and went into effect in 2001."


IMHO the US President is grossly underpaid. Am I the only one that feels that way?

btw I am not trying to say that our politicians correctly paid.