Singapore Democrats
The Singapore Democrats sent a copy of our review of the ministers’ salaries, Ethical Salaries For A Public Centred Government, to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and urged him to implement the recommendations contained therein.
Mr Gerard Ee, who heads the Commission that the PM appointed to look into the matter, has also been alerted to our paper. Given the overwhelming support by the public for the proposals made in the paper, we hope that the Government would take them on board.
2 December 2011Mr Lee Hsien Loong
Prime Minister
SingaporeDear Prime Minister,
The Singapore Democratic Party has published a report examining the question of ministerial salaries entitled Ethical Salaries For a Public Centred Government. I am pleased to forward you a copy for your information. Our proposals recommend:
1. The appointment of an independent salary commission.
2. The removal of the variable components from the ministerial pay structure.
3. The pegging of ministers’ salaries to the bottom 20 percent of Singaporean wage earners.
4. The provision of allowances for ministers in their performance of official duties.
5. The relocation of the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau away from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Together with the Singaporean people, the Singapore Democratic Party welcomed your appointment of the Commission headed by Mr Gerard Ee to review ministerial salaries. The current salary level of ministers has made many Singaporeans unhappy, particularly in the context of declining wages and increasing cost of living.
Judging from the response to the SDP’s paper on the Internet, Singaporeans have overwhelmingly and enthusiastically endorsed our recommendations. Given such strong public sentiment, it would be difficult to ignore the proposals contanied in our paper.
Dr James Gomez, Head of the SDP Policy Unit, which prepared the paper, has contacted Mr Gerard Ee and alerted him to its publication. May I request you to forward a copy to Mr Ee so that he may include our recommendations in his report.
I wish you well and look forward to a meaningful and substantive debate on the issue of ministerial salaries.
Sincerely,
Jufrie Mahmood
Chairman
Singapore Democratic Party