If 60% of Singaporeans were a little less daft, we could have had Ministers giving up their salaries altogether!
In any case, these Ministers have amassed millions over the last two decades. Not to mention that they all hold top paying jobs and pensions look unchecked. So what's a little pay cut to them?
Still, it is another small step in the right direction.
SINGAPORE: Members of Parliament have welcomed the formation of the committee to review ministers' salaries.
Although political office holders face a possible cut in their salaries, they said the review is timely.
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Environment and Water Resources Minister, said: "I see this as a symbol that everything is up for review. Nothing is sacrosanct. Having said that, I would like to leave the committee to do its work without interference and without us trying to pre-judge or prejudice the issue."
Michael Palmer, MP for Punggol East, said: "There must be a certain sacrifice on the employed person's part. So in this case it can be a Minister in terms of taking that cut so that you show that it's not only a case of doing a job, but that you actually want to serve the people and I think that's what the people want to see.
"So I am not going to comment on amounts and all that because that is something (review committee chairman) Gerard and his committee are going to have a look at. But in that sense if there was a cut I would have no problem and I would probably welcome it."
Dr Janil Puthucheary, MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, said: "Clearly that's what a lot of people do feel. I have to look at the figures and I can understand the sentiment and certainly I think it does need to be reviewed."
One political analyst also agreed with the intention to assess salaries according to workload. But it is important to agree on some major principles first, said Zulkifli Baharudin.
"Principles like whether we should consider the different portfolios within the Government..... Obviously today nobody questions how much you would pay your Prime Minister and MM, they're worth every cent and more. But by the same token, people feel that the junior ministers ought not to be as well rewarded until and unless they've proven themselves," he said.
He said he hopes the team will be competent enough to achieve a consensus with Singaporeans.
"Certainly you need some intellectual and professional input, but I think ministerial salaries are something that even the man on the street has an opinion on. And as part of consensus-building, it's good to have a diverse group of people," he said.
He expects the Committee's recommendations to be widely debated in Parliament.
- CNA/ir
Although political office holders face a possible cut in their salaries, they said the review is timely.
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Environment and Water Resources Minister, said: "I see this as a symbol that everything is up for review. Nothing is sacrosanct. Having said that, I would like to leave the committee to do its work without interference and without us trying to pre-judge or prejudice the issue."
Michael Palmer, MP for Punggol East, said: "There must be a certain sacrifice on the employed person's part. So in this case it can be a Minister in terms of taking that cut so that you show that it's not only a case of doing a job, but that you actually want to serve the people and I think that's what the people want to see.
"So I am not going to comment on amounts and all that because that is something (review committee chairman) Gerard and his committee are going to have a look at. But in that sense if there was a cut I would have no problem and I would probably welcome it."
Dr Janil Puthucheary, MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, said: "Clearly that's what a lot of people do feel. I have to look at the figures and I can understand the sentiment and certainly I think it does need to be reviewed."
One political analyst also agreed with the intention to assess salaries according to workload. But it is important to agree on some major principles first, said Zulkifli Baharudin.
"Principles like whether we should consider the different portfolios within the Government..... Obviously today nobody questions how much you would pay your Prime Minister and MM, they're worth every cent and more. But by the same token, people feel that the junior ministers ought not to be as well rewarded until and unless they've proven themselves," he said.
He said he hopes the team will be competent enough to achieve a consensus with Singaporeans.
"Certainly you need some intellectual and professional input, but I think ministerial salaries are something that even the man on the street has an opinion on. And as part of consensus-building, it's good to have a diverse group of people," he said.
He expects the Committee's recommendations to be widely debated in Parliament.
- CNA/ir
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