Pay Rise for civil servants

Following the announcement of a pay increment for civil servants, especially the ministers, an undesired uproar arose in Singapore. It was mainly the Prime Minister, the Senior Minister, the Minister Mentor and the President who were targets of controversy. They were already earning six-figure salaries but a pay increment meant that they would receive as much as S$2.94 million per year. Should the leaders be paid such high salaries? Over this question, a debate was brought about across Internet forums and newspapers but it really baffles me that Singaporeans of this age are unappreciative of the good governance in Singapore.

Personally, I do not object to the pay increment for the leaders and they certainly deserve every cent they are paid. Their job as leaders to govern our country is not a simple task that any other person can perfect. If the leaders were paid poorly, Singaporeans would assume that governing a country is as easy as giving speeches and meeting foreign ambassadors. As a result, the work of the Ministers becomes unappreciated and insignificant to those who know nothing about politics and yet blame the government when the economy suffers a plunge.

In my opinion, the critical problem that exists in Singapore is the mentality of taking good governance for granted. Many of us have overlooked the contributions of the leaders who shaped Singapore and made us stand out among other countries. Just take a look at our neighbours. Even now, graft still exists in countries like Indonesia and power struggles are common in Taiwan and China. In Singapore, political instability is non-existent and the economy is thriving. It is only a small percentage of the growth we enjoyed last year that the leaders are benefiting from and yet people are moaning at it. All of us are guilty of not appreciating everything we have and certainly, taken peacefulness for peace.

With Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong donating his pay rise to charitable organisations, what more can we ask from a leader who planned our past and future meticulously.