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Mar 26, 2011
HIGH OFFICE
Why President's pay seems jarring now and not before
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THE Prime Minister's press secretary's reiteration of the role of the President ('Why the President's salary is pegged higher'; March 18) is common knowledge and well-accepted.
Previously, when salaries of political appointees were less beyond the imagination of ordinary Singaporeans, the President's salary, even when pegged above the Prime Minister's, was not as jarring to the public. Now that salaries of political appointees are pegged to 'market rates', a salary of $4,267,500 for the current job scope of the President does appear to warrant discussion.
The Government has stated repeatedly that the presidency, though elected, is not an executive office. The President's duties, though important, are custodial and ceremonial, not executive. In corporate parlance, this is more akin to a non-executive chairmanship, while the Prime Minister functions like a chief executive officer; the ministers as chief operating officers, chief financial or marketing officers and so on.
A non-executive chairman, though accorded the highest respect with top perks and protocol in the corporation, is not paid more than his chief executive officer.
It is time to divorce the respect for and prestige of the presidency from its salary. The status of the presidency as the highest office of the land is enshrined in the Constitution and does not depend on it being paid more than the Prime Minister and ministers.
In the corporate world, apart from the example of the non-executive chairman and CEO cited above, there are also occasions where, for market and competitive reasons, a position lower in the corporate hierarchy may be paid more than the one above. This has not compromised the organisational structure.
Cheng Shoong Tat
HIGH OFFICE
Why President's pay seems jarring now and not before
<!-- by line --><!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar --><!-- story content : start -->
THE Prime Minister's press secretary's reiteration of the role of the President ('Why the President's salary is pegged higher'; March 18) is common knowledge and well-accepted.
Previously, when salaries of political appointees were less beyond the imagination of ordinary Singaporeans, the President's salary, even when pegged above the Prime Minister's, was not as jarring to the public. Now that salaries of political appointees are pegged to 'market rates', a salary of $4,267,500 for the current job scope of the President does appear to warrant discussion.
The Government has stated repeatedly that the presidency, though elected, is not an executive office. The President's duties, though important, are custodial and ceremonial, not executive. In corporate parlance, this is more akin to a non-executive chairmanship, while the Prime Minister functions like a chief executive officer; the ministers as chief operating officers, chief financial or marketing officers and so on.
A non-executive chairman, though accorded the highest respect with top perks and protocol in the corporation, is not paid more than his chief executive officer.
It is time to divorce the respect for and prestige of the presidency from its salary. The status of the presidency as the highest office of the land is enshrined in the Constitution and does not depend on it being paid more than the Prime Minister and ministers.
In the corporate world, apart from the example of the non-executive chairman and CEO cited above, there are also occasions where, for market and competitive reasons, a position lower in the corporate hierarchy may be paid more than the one above. This has not compromised the organisational structure.
Cheng Shoong Tat
