Lee Kuan Yew defends competitive ministerial salaries

[votepapout]

SINGAPORE: Singapore's former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has defended the need for a competitive ministerial pay to attract committed and capable people who will serve the country.

In a letter sent to the media on Wednesday after a parliamentary debate on political pay, Mr Lee, who had fought strongly for competitive political pay when he was in the Cabinet, noted how with a different generation, political attitudes change.

But he said unless Singapore has a steady stream of people to serve as ministers, Singapore as a little red dot will become a little black spot.

He pointed out that Singapore did not get from Third World to First by "head-hunting ministers willing to sacrifice their children's future when undertaking a public service duty."

He said the leadership took a "pragmatic course that does not require people of calibre to give up too much for the public good."

Mr Lee added that Singapore must not be reduced to another ordinary country in the Third World by dodging the issue of competitive ministerial remuneration.

Mr Lee said Singapore cannot underpay ministers and argues that their sole reward should be their contribution to public good.

"Every family wants to provide the best for their children, to go to a good university. We were pragmatic and also paid competitive salaries in order to have a continuous stream of high calibre people to become MPs, and then ministers. They put their careers at risk and undergo an uncertain and unpredictable election process," he said.

He pointed to the heavy responsibilities of ministers in making Singapore a success.

"A PM and his ministers carry heavy responsibilities for the nation. If they make a serious mistake, the damage to Singapore will be incalculable and permanent. Their macroeconomic policies will decide the GDP of the country, which was more than S$300 billion in 2010, with per capita GDP of S$59,000."

- CNA/ck

 

[winnipegjets]

We pay exceptional salaries for average folks. What have they accomplished that other politicians have not being able to do?

With that obscene salary and pensions, the PAP politicians should have gotten us into Nirvana. Instead we are in a hell hole where the benefits are accumulating fast for the rich.

 

[steffychun]

We are a little black dot if you go to Little I****

 

[HTOLAS]

Why didn't he speak up in parliament? No guts to take part in debate?

 

[steffychun]

Why didn't he speak up in parliament? No guts to take part in debate?

Not when there's a Rhodes Scholar there

 

[Leckmichamarsch]

We pay exceptional salaries for average folks. What have they accomplished that other politicians have not being able to do?

With that obscene salary and pensions, the PAP politicians should have gotten us into Nirvana. Instead we are in a hell hole where the benefits are accumulating fast for the rich.

Many years ago, the previous PM has promised us Swiss Std of Living....... where is it?
Looks like Nirvana is easier to achieve.................

 

[zeddy]

The Old Emperor Has Finally Spoken... All Hail The Old Emperor..Let's all Give Our Middle Finger To Him..!!!

:oIo: :oIo: :oIo: :oIo: :oIo: :oIo: :oIo:

 

[rusty]

No amount of defending or spinning can change the fact that he is using public funds to enhance his party dominance and control.
Hopefully he could lives long enough to defend why his barrage should not be turned into a tourist attraction.

 

[halsey02]

Many years ago, the previous PM has promised us Swiss Std of Living....... where is it?
Looks like Nirvana is easier to achieve.................

You mean the throne warmer, opps!, seat warmer?, not only the Swiss Std of living, but, what happened to the more GOod years?:p

 

[jw5]

Why didn't he speak up in parliament? No guts to take part in debate?

Could be because he may have to go and pang jio every few minutes.
That would disrupt the debate.

 

[neddy]

No high salary for me alas!
High salary for average PAP folks.

So I quit and join another country.
Now, I got higher salary, after tax.

I think my higher salary after tax still lose to PAP GirlPower Tin Tin. :(
She got $15,000 x 13 months?

 

[kingrant]

Mr Lee, pleeeese..

You talk as if we dont want to pay compeititive pay. What is competitive?

$10 million? $4million?

Are we asking Ministers to sacrifice their children's future? How much is considered a sacrifice?

Schooling at Ivy League Universities? Limo? Private jet?

What have we given all these years then? Not millions? Look at Nathan. $48 million over 12 years! just for sitting there doing nothing. Was he a talent? What else could he have been if he was not the President?

Look at Mah Bow Tan. Wong Kan Sing. Screw up after screw up.

We can ask you also - have you short-changed us? Can we still take yr BS?

 

[Windsor]

LKY said, "Every family wants to provide the best for their children, to go to a good university. We were pragmatic and also paid competitive salaries in order to have a continuous stream of high calibre people to become MPs, and then ministers. They put their careers at risk and undergo an uncertain and unpredictable election process."

Show us one former Minister who after having served Singapore has in some way suffered or is now suffering. Also please show us some evidence that their family had also suffered. Otherwise what you said is pure bull.

If the truth be told, all of them went on to having cushy jobs many Singaporeans would cut off their hands to have. The hard truth is, you all will protect your own and reward them handsomely when their services are no longer needed or circumstances prevented them from continuing.:oIo:

 

[steffychun]

He'll defend any thing for himself. The Japanese occupiers, the Cambridge system, then the anti-colonialists etc etc

 

[Seee3]

LKY said, "Every family wants to provide the best for their children, to go to a good university. We were pragmatic and also paid competitive salaries in order to have a continuous stream of high calibre people to become MPs, and then ministers. They put their careers at risk and undergo an uncertain and unpredictable election process."

Show us one former Minister who after having served Singapore has in some way suffered or is now suffering. Also please show us some evidence that their family had also suffered. Otherwise what you said is pure bull.

If the truth be told, all of them went on to having cushy jobs many Singaporeans would cut off their hands to have. The hard truth is, you all will protect your own and reward them handsomely when their services are no longer needed or circumstances prevented them from continuing.:oIo:

I remembered 2 persons. They were of different age and were invited to tea parties at different time. I believed one was picked for his knowledge on culture while the other was just simply brilliant in both study and work. Both turned them down politely.

Today, one has already retired and is not rich - doesn't own a car or a big house. The other is still active in his profession though getting much lesser than a minister. All along, this guy has devoted all his free time to charity i.e. little time for family. These are the kind of people I hope will join. When asked why they rejected, being polite people, they give the hint that they prefer to serve in their own ways.

Others whom I happened to know and are/were there. Most, if not all of them are talented, ambitious, good speakers .... On reflection, I think there is truth in what LKY said i.e. we need high salary to attract this top "talent" because they were targeting at this second group. However, if they are able to accommodate the views of the first group and persuade them to join, I think salary may not be an issue anymore.

 

[ThePlen]

harry is already so unpopular. that's why it is most logical for harry to come out and defend the ministerial salaries. as it is, grace fu, chan chun sing, tin pei ling and the rest still lag behind him in the "most unpopular pappie" poll

 

[Leongsam]

harry is already so unpopular.

He may be the most unpopular but that does not make him wrong.

 

[hurley]

He may be the most unpopular but that does not make him wrong.

that's the hard truth for all sinkies

 

[neddy]

harry is already so unpopular. that's why it is most logical for harry to come out and defend the ministerial salaries. as it is, grace fu, chan chun sing, tin pei ling and the rest still lag behind him in the "most unpopular pappie" poll

A lot of things are wrong with Singapore. If Singapore is still early in development, having hairdressers and coolies as MPs is fine.
Can see how things which are right in the past has gone wrong simply because the environment has changed.

 

[Bigfuck]

SINGAPORE: Singapore's former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has defended the need for a competitive ministerial pay to attract committed and capable people who will serve the country.

In a letter sent to the media on Wednesday after a parliamentary debate on political pay, Mr Lee, who had fought strongly for competitive political pay when he was in the Cabinet, noted how with a different generation, political attitudes change.

But he said unless Singapore has a steady stream of people to serve as ministers, Singapore as a little red dot will become a little black spot.

He pointed out that Singapore did not get from Third World to First by "head-hunting ministers willing to sacrifice their children's future when undertaking a public service duty."

He said the leadership took a "pragmatic course that does not require people of calibre to give up too much for the public good."

Mr Lee added that Singapore must not be reduced to another ordinary country in the Third World by dodging the issue of competitive ministerial remuneration.

Mr Lee said Singapore cannot underpay ministers and argues that their sole reward should be their contribution to public good.

"Every family wants to provide the best for their children, to go to a good university. We were pragmatic and also paid competitive salaries in order to have a continuous stream of high calibre people to become MPs, and then ministers. They put their careers at risk and undergo an uncertain and unpredictable election process," he said.

He pointed to the heavy responsibilities of ministers in making Singapore a success.

"A PM and his ministers carry heavy responsibilities for the nation. If they make a serious mistake, the damage to Singapore will be incalculable and permanent. Their macroeconomic policies will decide the GDP of the country, which was more than S$300 billion in 2010, with per capita GDP of S$59,000."

- CNA/ck

One, I am fine with a black spot and so are most Singaporeans.
He pointed out that Singapore did not get from Third World to First by "head-hunting ministers willing to sacrifice their children's future when undertaking a public service duty."=> Two, this is insulting to the old guard. They did not even receive half of what the new cohort did.

"He said the leadership took a "pragmatic course that does not require people of calibre to give up too much for the public good."" Three, same in the USA. Just that you get it after you have really performed and left service.

"Every family wants to provide the best for their children, to go to a good university. We were pragmatic and also paid competitive salaries in order to have a continuous stream of high calibre people to become MPs, and then ministers. They put their careers at risk and undergo an uncertain and unpredictable election process," he said.
Four, when you pay them such obscene salaries worth more than a few lifetime incomes of a typical Singapore in 5-6 years, there is no risk.

"He pointed to the heavy responsibilities of ministers in making Singapore a success.

"A PM and his ministers carry heavy responsibilities for the nation. If they make a serious mistake, the damage to Singapore will be incalculable and permanent. Their macroeconomic policies will decide the GDP of the country, which was more than S$300 billion in 2010, with per capita GDP of S$59,000.""

Five, it is a hoary myth that Singaporeans make 59,000SGD. The median income 28.8K SGD after manipulation in non-hard cash form. Yes, PAP and the dogs carry a huge responsibility but it does not come with any penalties of failure for causing economic harm and death to Singaporean. Losing an election does not mean much since they are already paid a few lifetimes of a Singapore. A good banker would have helped them double to treble their fortune in one term. So in conclusion, being a PAP MP is the most jiak liao bee wayang job with no down side. Face and reputation is something money can alter - that is what image consultants are for. I would also like to know what LKY is smoking as I want to smoke it too to spew such rubbish with such arrogance and confidence.