Workers' Party supports MP allowance increase but questions ministerial salary formula

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said higher salaries for ministers are not meant to entice people into politics. Rather, it is their call to serve that must come first. During a Parliament debate lasting four hours, more than 10 Members of Parliament spoke on the issue of political salaries. This comes after the government announced a one-off pay increase of up to 9% as part of recommendations to update political salaries. The Workers' Party supported parts of the review but questioned the formula on political salaries. WP chief Pritam Singh said the party favours a formula it proposed in 2012, which pegs ministerial salaries to a multiple of an MP's salary. Nasyrah Rohim reports.