SINGAPORE, Jan 11 — The government aims to have an independent committee carry out the next salary review for political office holders this year, Minister-in-charge of the Public Service Chan Chun Sing said yesterday (January 10).

He was responding on behalf of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to parliamentary questions filed by Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Hazel Poa from the Progress Singapore Party.

Poa had asked PM Lee if he has appointed a committee to carry out the five-yearly review of political salaries and if so, what are its terms of reference and when can a report from the committee be expected and if not, when is it expected to be appointed.

In his written reply, Chan said that the 2012 White Paper on "Salaries for a Capable and Committed Government” had recommended that an independent committee be appointed every five years to review political salaries.

In 2018, the committee recommended that ministerial wages be raised by 9 per cent in line with benchmark movements.

The committee had also concluded then that the salary framework remained relevant and sound.

But the government decided to keep the salaries unchanged "since the economy was still in transition", indicating that it would review the matter after five years or when it becomes necessary, said Chan, who is also Education Minister.

"The next political salaries review is targeted for 2023, and we will share more details in due course,” he added.

The last committee was chaired by social services champion Gerard Ee and comprised a total of nine members from the private sector, labour movement and social sector.

In 2012, Parliament endorsed recommendations to link ministerial salaries to the median income of the top 1,000 earners who are Singaporean citizens, with a 40 per cent discount to reflect the ethos of political service.

Currently, the annual benchmark salary for an entry-level minister at "MR4” grade, inclusive of bonuses, is S$1.1 million (RM3.61 million) — unchanged from levels set in 2012 White Paper. ― TODAY pic