I didn't want to do this. For 5 days I've read the articles on the Straits Times, and I've withstood the urge to criticise talk about the government. But now, even the TIME's Magazine has a part about it.
For those who has gone hiding in some Singapore Cave like Saddam Hussein, I'm talking about the pay rise for Singapore ministers.
''after the government announced it would increase ministers' pay by up to 60%" (Actually, CNA reported the rise to be between 14% and 33%. So TIME may be wrong.)
Lee reportedly earned S$2.5 million (US$1.65 million; €1.23 million) last year."
For those who has gone hiding in some Singapore Cave like Saddam Hussein, I'm talking about the pay rise for Singapore ministers.
''after the government announced it would increase ministers' pay by up to 60%" (Actually, CNA reported the rise to be between 14% and 33%. So TIME may be wrong.)
-Time, April 23, 2007 issue.
If you guys think that's just a small thing that's happened. Well, let me do some statistics.
"Under the proposed changes, Lee's annual salary would rise to S$3.1 million (US$2.05 million; €1.53 million) by the end of 2008. That would make his pay about five times more than that of U.S. President George W. Bush, whose job currently pays US$400,000 (€197,000) a year.Lee reportedly earned S$2.5 million (US$1.65 million; €1.23 million) last year."
Yes, your beloved Prime Minister is being paid 3.1Million per year. That's about 30 HDB flats.
"The ruling People's Action Party defends the high incomes by saying ministers and civil servants must be paid enough to attract the best talent and prevent corruption."
So... You're saying that Lee Hsien Loong = 5 George W. Bush, that he deserves the US$2.05million? I mean, sure, you do drive the country and that's quite a tough job. But your responsibility > The president of USA's responsibility? You gotta be kidding me. The United States of America is 13772.9444 times the size of Singapore. You telling me you need 5 times more money to run that small space?
"Lee had pushed for the raises in March, saying the salaries were not keeping up with benchmarks that outline what a civil servant should be paid in relation to the top-paid private sector employees."
If its not keeping up with benchmarks, it means you need to change your benchmark. True, losing the private sector employees will mean less talented people running the country. But if the people running the country is in it only for the pay, I seriously pity Singapore's predicament. We need money to let people choose our directions and run our lives. Pathetic. We need passionate people, not just capable ones. That's a point that we must keep in mind.
Also said was,
"Singapore's prime minister responded to criticism of hefty government pay hikes Wednesday by saying he would donate to charity any such raises in the next five years, local media reported."
If your heart is really in giving the money to charity, pls, just publicly state to directly transfer the whole increased amount over to the charity of your choice. Dun just SAY it. It's only giving the impression that that statement was only given just to appease the general public, to keep up the popularity vote.
Also not forgetting the MM, Mr Lee, who said that,
"Those who quarrel about $46 million — a mere 0.022 per cent of Singapore's Gross Domestic Product — don't have a sense of proportion."
Considering that what the ministers are getting are the taxpayer's hard earned money, they do have the right to quarrel even for a dollar that comes from their pocket. True, when the money is split between the 4 Million population in Singapore, the amount becomes insignificant for every Singaporean, but the point that a person, a SINGLE person, can recieve a S$0.6Million annual pay rise. That's infuriating, I mean, most of the ordinary folks of Singapore are looking at 4 digit paychecks. Call it jealousy, but it is a HUGE amount. Btw, with that sentence above, are you implying that S$46 Million being 0.022 percent of Singapore GDP, are just 76 Peanuts?
That may not be the case, but the 'a mere 0.022 per cent' really gives that impression, that the S$46,000,000 is implied to be insignificant. Also, the strong defence that you are giving is also seemingly implying that you are actually defending your son. It wouldn't be a very convincing defence at all, would it?
Then of course I bring to your minds again, that as the people have uproars, protests(Verbal) and debates, it will not make any difference because the raise will materialise anyway. Talk about a democratic government eh?
Power to the people Government.
***Edit***
O yes, Eng Yian has prompted me to add in something I forgot, my suggestion.
Simply, is to 'NOT' have that pay rise, in case my whole block of mental diahorrea was not clear enough. In fact, I see that the arguement is only about having, or NOT having the pay rise, not the methods to GIVE the pay rise.
And before I forget, I am in no position to be going around picking a fight. If that makes me not a real man, fine. I prefer being a fake man then risking landing my ass in jail for a stupid comment that could be avoided. So if you want a fight Eng Yian, I recommend you to fight another guy. I only throw my verbal diahorrea around to let others read if they wish to. Period.
Comments (0)
Post a Comment