Singapore’s Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong, is set to receive a significant increase in his annual salary package as part of a broader pay adjustment for the country’s ministers and other political office holders.
Wong’s annual compensation will rise by 1.4 million Singapore dollars, equivalent to about $1.1 million or £818,000.
The Prime Minister said he intends to donate the additional income to charity over the next five years.
The Singapore government has defended the salary increases, arguing that competitive pay is necessary to attract and retain capable people in senior public positions.
Singapore has long maintained a system of high remuneration for political office holders, with the government arguing that it helps reduce incentives for corruption and allows the country to recruit individuals with strong experience and skills into public service.
The increase comes despite Singapore already being regarded as one of the countries with the lowest levels of public-sector corruption globally.
Wong has said the additional money he receives will be directed towards charitable causes, rather than being retained as personal income.
