Media Release: No need to donate increment, just repudiate pay hike
By: Chee Soon Juan
Obviously unable to stomach the backlash from Singaporeans and the eyebrows raised by others around the world, PM Lee Hsien Loong has announced that he will donate his pay increment of S$600,000 a year.
Singaporeans should not be so easily placated – or fooled. If Mr Lee has no need of the extra money, why did he allow the pay-raise in the first place? If, on the other hand, he believes that the move is good for Singapore, then he should have stood his ground and defended his actions.
Obviously, it is impossible to justify the unjustifiable. The pay hike was a colossal misstep on the part of the Government, especially when there is overwhelming evidence that the economic situation of Singaporeans has been deteriorating in recent years. The PM is obviously now trying to undo, or at least limit, the damage.
However, Mr Lee's move to increase his salary and then announce that he will donate it away seems such an unnecessary show. Wouldn't it have made more sense to not increase salaries in the first instance?
And what are we to conclude if the other ministers don't follow suit and donate their increments as well?
Singaporeans must not forget that even without the latest increase, Mr Lee and the entire cabinet are already way overpaid. The Singapore Democrats repeat our call for the PM and his ministers to revise their salaries downwards to less obscene levels.
At the same time, and in line with international democratic practice, ministers should declare their assets and the assets of their family members.
If fact, given the dismal economic situation that poor Singaporeans are being put through, Parliament should unequivocally repudiate any talk of salary increase and all MPs should forgo their increments and ensure that the funds are used to alleviate the suffering of the working poor.
It must never be forgotten that parliaments are institutions of service, not avarice.
Chee Soon Juan
Secretary-General
Singapore Democratic Party
A very interesting topic. I took the liberty to quote your article in Asia Observer's blog at http://www.asiaobserver.com/blog/
ReplyDeleteJohn Einar Sandvand
Editor, Asia Observer
I strongly disagree with the pay hike. There should be a pay reduction instead. These bloodsuckers are taking too much from Singaporeans being only servants.
ReplyDeleteDear Sir,
ReplyDeleteI guess with all that you have said about the parliament and our country's leaders, you must donate a substantial chunk of your salary to charity annually to have the conscience to say the things you said.
With all due respect, I believe it would be hard for you to hold a position in the government and wield enough authority to make sweeping reforms to the current "undemocratic" political scene. Everybody can see that, why can't you?
Instead of complaining and protesting, why don't you take lead and start by doing good for the people little by little, say the next time you see an old lady selling tissues buy a pack from her. Spread the goodness through your actions and not just by words.