Lee Kuan Yew, the Minister holding the post of Minister Mentor in the Singapore government, with his son holding the post of Prime Minister, recently had their salaries increased from over two million Singapore Dollars (US$1.5 million), to more than three million dollars.
Mr Lee said: "If you have a dud minister he cannot hold his ground, you know in Singapore, you've got to meet your constituents, you've got to meet the press, you are in Parliament right? You are not just making a speech at a mass rally …and for this generation, if you don't pay them adequately and their families suffer, they will not stay in the job long. They will be forced to pack up and go back to their private life. And you've lost experience and expertise, it's as simple as that."
I can imagine how *people paid US$1.5 million* and *their families* will suffer if their salaries are not increased to more than USS$2 million.
They will be so miserable if they do not have a bowl of bird nest soup for breakfast.
They will be devastated if there is no shark fins in their soup for lunch.
They will be in shock if the thousand years "Lin Zhi" is not placed in front of them at dinner.
Poor things. I guess they find it hard to toilet if the toilet bowls are not made of pure crystal.
Come to think of it, if you are paid US$1.5 million those things should be available if you want... I wonder *to what* the great man is referring. Looks like us peasants can never hope to fathom the minds of such great (or greedy) men.
If you think the pay increase is a joke, click here:
Singapore Ministers Pay Increase
The writer Andrew PK Yap is paid like most Singaporeans, 200-300 times less, not with Public Money and is not suffering.
