According to CNBC, Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said ministerial salaries will be raised after remaining unchanged for 15 years, lifting his annual pay package to SG$3.6 million ($2.85 million) from SG$2.2 million. The SG$3.6 million package includes fixed and variable components, and Wong said he will donate his full salary increase to charity for five years if he remains prime minister.
Wong said in parliament that the pay for an entry-level minister, known as the MR4 grade, will rise from $1.1 million to $1.8 million, with the prime minister paid twice the MR4 grade. He also said existing political officeholders will receive one-off adjustments of up to 9% from Oct. 15, based on performance and when their salaries were last adjusted. Wong said political salaries are a difficult and emotive issue, but added that Singapore runs an open system and is transparent about ministerial pay.