Singapore boosts PM’s salary by $1m amid major pay rise for ministers | Singapore

Wong said he would donate the entire increase of his salary to “suitable good causes” during his term.

Even before the raise, the Singaporean prime minister’s paycheck vastly outstripped the wages of many other leaders, including in the US and other G7 nations. The US president earns $400,000 a year, while the UK prime minister is paid about $230,000 annually.

“Political salaries are a difficult and emotive issue,” said Wong, whose long-ruling People’s Action Party dominates Singapore’s parliament and its 21-member cabinet. “The sums involved are more than what most citizens earn, so I understand why Singaporeans scrutinise them closely, and why many feel strongly about the matter.”

However, the issue is “ultimately about whether Singapore will continue to have the quality of political leadership we need to take our country forward” in the decades ahead, he said.

“Our starting point is this: good government depends on good leadership.”

The South-east Asian nation, which last adjusted ministerial salaries 15 years ago, is regularly ranked among the world’s least corrupt countries.

Wong said the pay raises were recommended by an independent committee, adding that existing office holders would not be moved immediately to the new benchmarks.

They will receive a one-off adjustment of up to 9% from 15 October, depending on individual circumstances, including performance.