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the committee must also weigh two factors, said Singapore Management University observer Eugene Tan. The first is that too deep a cut will disincentivise private sector talent to enter politics.
Secondly, 'if salaries are cut by a lot, this would be admitting that ministers have been grossly overpaid for 15 years', he said. 'It would mean undercutting the fundamental principles that the Government has always given for why salaries must be high.'
In 1994, when ministerial salaries were benchmarked to the incomes of top earners in the private sector, then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong said such political salaries were necessary to get the best talent on board.
The current benchmark for ministers' pay is two-thirds the median incomes of the top eight earners in each of six professions, including banking and law.
Latest official figures show the annual salary of an entry-grade minister was $1.57 million in 2009. The Prime Minister's salary then was $3.04 million.
Secondly, 'if salaries are cut by a lot, this would be admitting that ministers have been grossly overpaid for 15 years', he said. 'It would mean undercutting the fundamental principles that the Government has always given for why salaries must be high.'
In 1994, when ministerial salaries were benchmarked to the incomes of top earners in the private sector, then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong said such political salaries were necessary to get the best talent on board.
The current benchmark for ministers' pay is two-thirds the median incomes of the top eight earners in each of six professions, including banking and law.
Latest official figures show the annual salary of an entry-grade minister was $1.57 million in 2009. The Prime Minister's salary then was $3.04 million.