PM, what's in your paycheck?

The President may be in for a pay cut.

To help ensure honest and competent government, a committee will review the basis and level of salaries for the President, Prime Minister, political appointment holders and Members of Parliament.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the committee will be chaired by Mr Gerard Ee and comprise a total of eight members from the private sector, labour movement, and social sector.

Salaries of comparable jobs in the private sector and also other reference points such as the general wage levels in Singapore should be taken into account.

In addition, guidelines say that “while the salary of the President should reflect the President’s high status as the head of state and his critical custodial role as holder of the second key, it should also take into account the fact that unlike the Prime Minister he does not have direct executive responsibilities except as they relate to his custodial role.”

Meanwhile the salary of ministers should have a significant discount to comparable private sector salaries to signify the value and ethos of political service.

The government will base its new salaries on the committee’s recommendations.