ASEANNETWORKNEWS| Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said he will donate the full increase in his salary to suitable social causes for the next five years, provided he remains prime minister. The decision follows the Singapore Government’s acceptance of recommendations to revise the salary framework for political office holders.
The revised framework will increase the annual salary benchmark for an MR4 minister from S$1.1 million to S$1.8 million. Wong’s salary, which is set at twice the MR4 benchmark, will therefore rise from S$2.2 million to S$3.6 million annually, including bonuses.
The salary adjustment will take effect from October 15, 2026, with political office holders receiving increases of up to 9 percent in the first adjustment under the revised framework. The change follows a review by an independent committee convened to assess Singapore’s political salary framework.
Wong said the Government would continue paying him the salary stipulated under the revised framework. However, he has personally decided to donate the increase to “suitable good causes” for five years, assuming he remains prime minister.
“This is my own decision. I do not expect other officeholders to do the same,” Wong said in Parliament, according to reports of his statement.
Wong also said he did not want his decision to create an expectation that future prime ministers or other political office holders would be required to follow the same approach. He said he would review the arrangement after five years.
The Government has defended the salary revision as necessary to maintain a competitive compensation framework and help attract capable people to political leadership. Wong said remuneration is relevant to ensuring that enough capable individuals are willing to take on ministerial responsibilities.
The salary issue has been politically sensitive in Singapore. Political salaries have remained unchanged since 2012, despite subsequent reviews and discussions about whether adjustments were needed.
The revised salary framework is scheduled to begin on October 15. Wong’s commitment to donate the increase applies for five years and is conditional on him remaining Singapore’s prime minister during that period.
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