What is the benchmark used to determine political salaries?

The benchmark for an entry-level MR4 Minister is based on the median income of the top 1,000 Singapore citizens income earners, with a 40% discount to reflect the ethos of political service.

The salaries of other political appointment holders will be determined based on their salary ratios to MR4. The salary ratios reflect the roles and responsibilities of the different political appointment holders. For example, the Prime Minister who is the head of the Executive will earn 2 times the salary of an MR4 Minister.

The salaries of political appointment holders will be adjusted according to the movement of the benchmark as it responds to market conditions.

I do not like this benchmark. The top 1,000 earners will change from time to time, based on the occupations that pay extremely well in each year. In some years, it could be property developers and in other years it could be tech entrepreneurs or lawyers, doctors, etc. By adopting this formula, the ministers will take the best of all worlds. 

I prefer the benchmark to be based on a multiple of the median income. For example, the median income is now S$50,000. If it is based on 10 times of the median income, which is an acceptable measure, a MR4 ministers would earn $500,000 a year. If this is considered not high enough, maybe the multiple can be 15 times, giving an annual salary of $750,000. 

The median income will rise each year according to the general level of salaries in the population. It will not as volatile as the benchmark based on the top 1,000 earners. 

Tan Kin Lian