Independent committee to review political appointment holders' salaries: Chan Chun Sing

Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Minister-in-charge of the Public Service, Chan Chun Sing, confirmed on Jan. 12 that an independent committee to review political appointment holders’ salaries has been formed.

A question about the salary review was asked by PAP Member of Parliament (MP) for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC Alex Yam.

Yam, who is also the North West District Mayor, noted the deferral of 2023’s scheduled review.

Five year review

In a written reply, Chan said that the current salary framework was established by a review committee in 2012.

The government then agreed that the framework should be reviewed by an independent committee every five years.

He recounted that the 2017 committee had reviewed the 2012 framework, concluding that the framework “remained sound”, and that political salaries should be adjusted annually in line with the movement of the benchmark salaries.

However, despite this, the government decided in 2017 not to make any changes to political salaries at that time.

In 2023, due to the "uncertain external environment and the downside risks in the global economy", the government decided to defer the scheduled review.

Timely review

Chan said that a review now is timely, as the salary structure and benchmark have not been updated since 2012.

The government has since convened an independent committee to undertake the review.

The committee has been asked to recommend the appropriate salary levels based on the current salary framework.

Where necessary, the committee should propose refinements to ensure the implementation of the framework will remain relevant and meet its intended purpose.

Committee lineup

Gan Seow Kee, Chairman of the Singapore LNG Corporation and a member of the Council of Presidential Advisers, has been tasked with chairing the Committee.

The make-up of the eight-person Committee is as follows:

The Committee will submit its report to the government when ready, and the government will consider its findings and provide an update to Parliament.

Top image via Chan Chun Sing/Facebook, Istana.gov & PSD/Facebook