Ministerial Salary Review

[Sun_2010]

ksi:

Sun_2010:

In fact personally I don't understand why this hue and cry about salary.

Is million dollars a lot of money? To me it is . Hell a lot.

But there are many earning that. I wouldnt get near to that but that is not the point. A minister , an MP has to deliver. That is what we should be looking at. Honestly, dun-flame-me I don't think most of us are competent to judge what should be the salary.

Say a minister has a salary of $10,000 pm , and he blunders, is it ok?
The MPs and ministers have to perform, if they fail to do so they should made answerable, his pay is immaterial . Our vote then is our weapon.

Why the hue and cry? Salary is paid from the taxpayers' pool of money and so how this money is used is certainly a concern to us. Perhaps the money can be better used? At the end of the day, the burden lies squarely on our shoulders if we have to sustain such a salary structure => higher tax...
There are 2 fundamental arguments that need probing:
1. Why use obscene amount to attract 'talent' to serve?
2. Why not equitable with our size, given that we are so small as a country?

Now, the fact that they are willing to review means they acknowledge the issues.

Agreed it is tax payees money. We have a right to be concerned, but given the issues facing the nation now, this is being given too much importance.
It seems more due to the \"obsceneness\" than due to the importance.
IMHO, The fact that PAP is willing to review shows they finally realize that the ill-will this issue is causing , so are being forced to face it. Of course it's time they get the feeling on the ground.

Don't get me wrong, I totally agree that we should know how our tax money is spent, and that the salaries are too high. But to say only those who want to enter politics should do so as it is a calling is too idealistic. It's a tagline that is being exploited.

For me the status of mrt is a greater concern - The hdb/property issues, economic stability, flooding (sorry ponding), immigration these seem outcome of some bad forecast, shortsightedness and complacency....
something systemic which I sincerely hope is being addressed behind the scenes.

[DesertWind]

Sun_2010:

For me the status of mrt is a greater concern - The hdb/property issues, economic stability, flooding (sorry ponding), immigration these seem outcome of some bad forecast, shortsightedness and complacency....something systemic which I sincerely hope is being addressed behind the scenes.

Fully agree! Now that they have actually cut the salary, can we move on and talk about the cost of living? How they can help common folks to cope with it? By building more hawker centres and charging reasonable rental etc?

[Chenonceau]

DesertWind:

Sun_2010:

For me the status of mrt is a greater concern - The hdb/property issues, economic stability, flooding (sorry ponding), immigration these seem outcome of some bad forecast, shortsightedness and complacency....something systemic which I sincerely hope is being addressed behind the scenes.

Fully agree! Now that they have actually cut the salary, can we move on and talk about the cost of living? How they can help common folks to cope with it? By building more hawker centres and charging reasonable rental etc?

Exactly so...

[HVR]

Chenonceau:

DesertWind:

[quote=\"Sun_2010\"]For me the status of mrt is a greater concern - The hdb/property issues, economic stability, flooding (sorry ponding), immigration these seem outcome of some bad forecast, shortsightedness and complacency....something systemic which I sincerely hope is being addressed behind the scenes.

Fully agree! Now that they have actually cut the salary, can we move on and talk about the cost of living? How they can help common folks to cope with it? By building more hawker centres and charging reasonable rental etc?

Exactly so...[/quote]Yes. We should move on and see how both PAP and opposition can contribute. Frankly thus far opposition is doing what many netizens are doing, criticising only but of course their arguments are more refined than netizens.

[Chenonceau]

http://petunialee.blogspot.com/2012/01/can-we-move-on.html

[BeContented]

DesertWind:

Sun_2010:

For me the status of mrt is a greater concern - The hdb/property issues, economic stability, flooding (sorry ponding), immigration these seem outcome of some bad forecast, shortsightedness and complacency....something systemic which I sincerely hope is being addressed behind the scenes.

Fully agree! Now that they have actually cut the salary, can we move on and talk about the cost of living? How they can help common folks to cope with it? By building more hawker centres and charging reasonable rental etc?

Yes, time to move on
Dun keep scolding Ah-Gong lah, like an earlier post mentioned, it IS a thankless job & it does involves sacrifices. Imagine have to face people & criticism day-in day-out & lose a lot of privacy, money alone will not attract, I choose to believe that there IS some 'calling/willingness to serve' in them when they choose to enter. And this applies to both MIW & opposition. All deserves credit for their willingness to stand out in the public & face all the citizens.

Happy New Year & let the govt start working good stuff & dun waste more time trying to answer all the salary issues.

[Oppsgal]

http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC120120-0000170/Reflections-on-the-salary-debate


Still about debate? Thought the salary range already confirm :?

[Chenonceau]

Haha! PAP needs to develop some skill in cutting short an unproductive debate. Some debates lead nowhere (because they don’t deepen the appreciation of the issue and doesn’t lead to practical and informed action) and are just for posturing or proving a one upmanship. Recognise this debate for what it is and find a way to cut it short even if it means conceding 1 or 2 unimportant points, and ignoring others. In effect, WP agrees with the broad strokes… and if they want the last word, let them have it.


I tell you… our politicians are not street smart.

[Oppsgal]

http://news.xin.msn.com/en/singapore/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5790372


Saturday, repeated on Sunday, Monday on the pay :? :shock:

What's the point of showing this? Can we have a say on this matter?

[hquek]

Yes, I also a bit sian on this topic. All the talk but not sure where we are headed.


I rather they talk on how to reduce rentals paid by businesses, especially hawkers, and that could go some way to helping common folks deal with inflation. But PLEASE subsidized rental only to those who are actually selling the food. I know of some people who buy up stalls like property and then resell at a nice profit, or sublet to others at another nice margin. No guesses as to which sheep get sheared in the end.

Sorry if I OT.