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Most Singaporeans do not think the president should be paid more than the prime minister, according to a survey.
Many who hold this view tend to be university graduates in their 40s and early 50s, professionals or working as senior executives.
In all, 55 per cent of the 2,000 Singaporeans polled by researchers of the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) disagreed that the elected president should get a bigger pay packet than the prime minister.
On the other hand, 25 per cent believe the president's pay should be higher than the prime minister's. They tend to be people aged 65 and older, and living in one- to three-room HDB flats.
IPS survey highlights
# Nine out of 10 people want the president to be elected by Singaporeans and not selected by Parliament.
# 85 per cent believe a person from an ethnic minority group can be elected president through the current system.
# Three in five think there is no need to change anything in the existing system for electing the president.
# 42 per cent say the 'Patrick Tan issue' was 'very important' in deciding how they voted. But 48 per cent shrugged it off while the rest were neutral.
The 'Patrick Tan issue' refers to allegations that President Tony Tan Keng Yam's son Patrick had received preferential treatment in his national service deferment and posting. The Defence Ministry said no such treatment was given.
# 52 per cent say the outcome of the May general election shaped their vote in the August presidential election.
# Three in four think the mass media gave all candidates fair coverage.
# Newspapers were the most influential in shaping how Singaporeans voted in the presidential election.
Almost 90 per cent say newspapers were an important factor in shaping their voting decision.
Next in line were: TV (80 per cent), the Internet (67 per cent), election rallies (64 per cent), meeting candidates (62 per cent), radio (50 per cent), meeting supporters of candidates (46 per cent), word of mouth (45 per cent), election literature (43 per cent) and mobile phones (31 per cent).
# Those who understand the president's role better tend to be highly educated and well-to-do men below the age of 65. Those who do not are likely to be low-income earners aged 65 and older, and living in one- to three-room HDB flats.
# 74 per cent believe political parties should not be allowed to endorse candidates. Similarly, 68 per cent say social organisations, unions and other community groups should not be allowed to endorse candidates.
# University-educated men aged 21 to 40, living in private property or bigger HDB flats and working in professional or executive jobs, tend to be more critical of the institution of the presidency.
