It's a strategy for long-term growth, he says and announces he will donate his salary incrase for next 5 years to charity

By Philip Lee
Apr 11, 2007
AsiaOne

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in Parliament today that if he had wanted to avoid the unpleasantness that has arisen among some Singaporeans over the proposed pay rises for government ministers and other public sector workers, he could have postponed this exercise.

"The ministers would not complain, and those Singaporeans who are now upset would have been happy," said Mr Lee when winding up the debate on the pay increases for ministers and top civil servants.

"But that would have been irresponsible because our problems will get more serious, and eventually our system of government would be undermined. So, even though I knew that the salary increase would cause a row, I decided to proceed now. It is my duty to do what is right, to explain why I am doing it, and to safeguard the long-term interests of Singaporeans."

Speaking in Mandarin, he added that if he were to delay the salary increases for several years, the public service may lose one or two cohorts of talented people and this would weaken the leadership team and the ability of the government.

"I want to make it clear to Singaporeans that my primary considerations are for the future of this nation, and not for my own salary. Hence, I have decided to donate my salary increase for the next five years to charity.

Ultimately, Singaporeans trust the government because it has been honest with the people, it has cared for them, and it has delivered what it has promised, he said.

"I ask all of Singaporeans to support our salary policy, so that we can strengthen oour government, it can continue to serve Singaporeans well, and Singaporeans will have reasons to continue trusting the government."

To sustain generation after generation of able policy makers and good government, Mr Lee said Singapore needs good leaders and good people to be MPs and ministers. Public leaders must not only be outstanding in their abilities but also have idealism and public spirit.

"With competitive salaries, we can bring in Singaporeans with these qaulities to renew our leadership team, and especially to strengthen the Cabinet, he said.

Citing the case of China and its booming economy, Mr Lee said that the Chinese government has also faced difficulty in attracting new talent into government service in recent years.

"Ambitious young Chinese no longer regard a government job as the best route to success. They prefer the private sector, working for foreign companies, or starting their own businesses.

"Many who enter the public service do not stay there for long. There are too many opportunities outside, and they can expect to earn many times more in the private sector."

In Singapore, Mr Lee added, the government aims for a good balance of talent both in the private sector and the government.

Mr Lee said that China has been using Singapore as a model for its development and Chinese academics have anaylsed Singapore's system of government in detail.

"They are most impressed by how we have maintained the vigour and quality of our government, without becoming complacent after so many years in power. They want to learn how our system has stayed clean, and our ministers and officials honest."

Addressing some of the concerns raised by MPs in the debate, Mr Lee said: "The MPs compare the salaries of the ministers with the amount the government spends on welfare, and think that the government has neglected the poor. When the two are put together, it becomes an emotional issue."

"I understand these sentiments. But the long-term goal of this salary revision is to build a good team that will make the country prosper and improve the lives of all Singaporeans, including people with lower incomes."

He said that while generous welafre is the popular thing to do - and this does not need capable ministers to carry out - it is not financially sustainable.

"The wiser approach to to grow the economy and use the fruits of growth to implement policies which truly improve the lives of the poor."

» Text of PM Lee's speech in Mandarin

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