Internet State

Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has received a $1 million pay rise, increasing his salary from S$2.2 million ($1.7 million) to S$3.6 million ($2.8 million) as part of a significant salary boost for government ministers that adds over 60% to their current pay. Deputy prime ministers will see their salaries rise from S$1.8 million to S$3 million, while cabinet ministers will earn between S$1.8 million and S$2.8 million based on seniority and portfolio weight. Wong will donate his entire salary increase to "suitable good causes," amid ongoing discussions about the appropriateness of such high-level political salaries in a country where they far exceed the average earnings of citizens.

Singapore's government will raise the annual salaries of its ministers, including Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, whose pay will increase from S$2.2 million to S$3.6 million, representing a more than 60% hike. Wong has committed to donating the pay increase of S$1.4 million to charity over the next five years, and has stated that higher salaries are necessary to attract better talent and deter corruption, although this move has drawn criticism amid rising living costs and job insecurity. The base salary of ministers will rise from approximately S$1.1 million to around S$1.2 million, with expectations for performance-based increases pushing average pay to around S$1.35 million by the end of the current term.