ST Forum; Mar 18, 2011
Why the President's salary is pegged higher
MR TAN Chak Lim queried the provision of $4,267,500 in the Civil List for the President's salary this year ('About the President's pay...; Wednesday).
As Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean explained to Parliament recently, the salaries of the President, ministers and senior civil servants are based on private sector benchmarks. The principle and benchmarks have been extensively debated in Parliament, most recently in 2007.
A significant part of these salaries depends on the GDP growth rate. Hence annual salaries dropped by up to 22.5 per cent for two years during the downturn, but are expected to return to the pre-crisis level this year, in tandem with the economic recovery. Nevertheless, total annual salaries remain within the established benchmarks.
The President occupies the highest office in Singapore. He exercises custodial powers to protect our past reserves and over the appointment of key public officers to protect the integrity of the public service.
As the head of state, he represents the country and advances our interests internationally. This is why it is appropriate to peg the President's salary higher than ministers' and just above the Prime Minister's.
Chen Hwai Liang
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister
Why the President's salary is pegged higher
MR TAN Chak Lim queried the provision of $4,267,500 in the Civil List for the President's salary this year ('About the President's pay...; Wednesday).
As Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean explained to Parliament recently, the salaries of the President, ministers and senior civil servants are based on private sector benchmarks. The principle and benchmarks have been extensively debated in Parliament, most recently in 2007.
A significant part of these salaries depends on the GDP growth rate. Hence annual salaries dropped by up to 22.5 per cent for two years during the downturn, but are expected to return to the pre-crisis level this year, in tandem with the economic recovery. Nevertheless, total annual salaries remain within the established benchmarks.
The President occupies the highest office in Singapore. He exercises custodial powers to protect our past reserves and over the appointment of key public officers to protect the integrity of the public service.
As the head of state, he represents the country and advances our interests internationally. This is why it is appropriate to peg the President's salary higher than ministers' and just above the Prime Minister's.
Chen Hwai Liang
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister
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