“Besides, as a govt official, I have to lead by example.”

‘Lead by example” indeed ! absolutely laughable.

The highest paid political leader in the universe by an obscene margin,
who needs his father to hold his hands.

The only leader who allows the father and wife to run state funds with no accountability.

The only leader who not too long ago announced to the public he cannot handle more than 5 opp members in parliament, as he needs to think of ways to fix them. What a freaking laugh ! This probably explains why he needs 80+ stooges in parliament to provide some manner of confidence.

[...] Read the full article: PM Lee displayed false humility [...]

Action speaks louder than words.

For not openly declaring his total pay-out (salary as PM, pension, bonus, etc), whatever this Lee says is just wayang. For not having an open independent review of the major investment losses by GIC (headed by his dad) and TH (headed by his wife), and then claiming that Singapore is not affluent, is he hinting or hiding something?

For the suffering Singaporeans, one way is to vote this Lee and his GRC out in the next election. It will then spell the end of an old man’s dynastic dreams and the ridiculous amount of public funds used to pay the numerous Ministers at PMO’s for holding this Lee’s hands.

It wasn’t humility that he was trying to convey, but an impression of fiscal prudence and frugality. Unfortunately for PM Lee, his public utterances so often also convey (well, at least to me) a sense of insincerity: I don’t get the sense he means what he says, whatever he says.

The “affluent country” bit is really fresh. Is that an acknowledgment that he has taken Singapore from first world to third since taking over the helm? He should really work harder, then.

Leaders who really work for the people do not talk about their sacrifices in
public. eg S korea’s Prez Lee Yong Bak or NY mayor’s Mike Bloomberg as they
work without any financial returns.
By bragging openly, LHL has just put his foot in his mouth because people know
the other side of the story ie his senior govt officials are given out of this world
salaries that could pay for their first class or private jet travels many times over.

If PM Lee is truly humble the thing he ought to do now is to set up a forum to discuss the ministerial salaries and resolve the issue once and for all. The obsene salary issue is not one that is confined to cyberspace only. The MSM have, once in a while, hinted that it is an issue Singaporeans are most unhappy about.

All these have been met with complete silence with the exception of MM Lee dishing out his threat once in a blue moon about peanuts attracting monkeys, forgeting that the biggest monkey in Singapore happens to be his very own daughther-in-law, the wife of our economy-class flying PM.

I followed the leaders’ example to invest my personal monies into US Banks in 2007 and 2008.

I suffered heavy losses (realized not paper), what about them?

I prefer my leaders to fly biz class for short flights at least, and first class for longer. They should be on top of their game whether visiting or coming back to Singapore. I dont want my dear PM to be hit on the head by a tray or get DVT or H1N1. BTW, the size of the entourage should also be considered.

aiyoyo

why elites like that huh?

not sure how commoners going to do next time?

(so many elites; not sure if anything good done to help man on the street?)

aiyoyo

anybody can confirm what LHL said is true?

I fully agreed with 3)… vote out LHL at the next election will put an end to all these rubbish. But residents there may be clouded by propaganda, so it is very important to put an strong opposition team there.

The only issue I have with this article is the comment against the picture. The word “some” should read “many” or “most”.

How many out there agree even if elder famiLEE did not ever bring his obscenely greedy generation into S’pore, our families & fellow citizens will still be living comfortable, safe & secure lives in Singapore.

What they have done most blatantly is creating a social divide where on the one extreme we have people struggling to provide a decent life for their families and on the other, ‘out of the moon’ people with ridiculuosly obscene high salaries, whose amounts can feed ordinary families for generations.

MM and PM Lee fly economy class for flights below 6 hours? Sure or not? Since when did any of us commoners see the MM or PM sitting beside us in economy class?

Security concerns alone would dictate that top Singaporean officials will not mingle with the masses in economy class. If there is any truth in what PM Lee said, it is most likely that they book the entire section of the plane for themselves.

“The only leader who not too long ago announced to the public he cannot handle more than 5 opp members in parliament, as he needs to think of ways to fix them.”

Correction, first thing he needs to do is to “fix” his old man and his hopeless wife for causing so so much loss to the nation. Then he can get out of my “elitist” non-caring face.

when i read the news i was hahahaha….

guess nobody will be con by them any more.

Esp when trash is from 154

If SG’s Ministers fly economy class for flights less than 6 hours, how come we’ve never heard of anyone spotting them on flights? I would think people will talk excitedly about such sightings, but so far there has been none. So does that mean our ministers hardly go out, and thus are hardly sighted?

What a hypocrite ! The multi BILLIONS that he and his famiLEE lost is more than enough to buy an entourage of space shuttles to fetch his famiLEE of supreme immortals to anywhere in the world and possibly to the nether world too.

Must find witnesses who had seen him in economy class flights in planes.

The airline people can help. For example, stewardesses, pilots, check-in clerks etc.

If there is no witness then he might just telling a tall story to a foreign journalist.

i think what he meant was he and the rest took economy class but chartered the whole plan, get it?

This smelled of the time during the NKF crisis when first class and business class travelling were all the talk of the town.

we all knew the true story later.

Maybe someone from inside can tell us the truth.

Until now, we have to stay by LHL version of economy class travelling for civil servants.

I knew some of my colleagues working in civil service flown economy class to Europe to attend some courses there many years ago. Again, they are not top notch civil servants.

after next election, ministers’ pay will be reviewed and pegged to private sector ie. Capital Land CEO $30M. believe me, this will come. he he he

So, the PM believes in leading by example.

Great.

Will he lead his troops into battle. I mean at the front. A fixed bayonet charge.

Well, Alexander the Great did. Not once or twice but many times. He had many wounds.

The Israeli army officers still do and they have been doing that for hang of a long time. Even before the foundation of the present state of Israel.

Ask Moshe Dayan and even the present PM of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu. And many others. Lest I forget, the Beast, Ariel Sharon.

The US generals did not do so. They were showmen. An example is General MacArthur. He would gather the newsmen around and then he would wade ashore after stepping off the landing craft to step on the shores of the Philippines to show that he lived by his pledge, ‘”I shall return.”

Will LHL our Commander-in-Chief, lead by example when Singapore has to fight off an invading enemy? Will the SAF officers do the same and follow the example of their Commander?

Another own goal by our dear PM! Sigh….when will he ever learn from previous Boo-Boos. First, it was the Mee-Siam dont want Hum & now, he’s saying that his team flies E Class? t’s really amzaing that none of them were ever spotted by the peasants fighting to eat with the plastic spoon while seated next to some King Kong Bundy of a guy in E Class!

PM Lee, sir, I am really sorry that your officials are flying E Class & I am also sorry that I have never seen any of the officials or Ministers in that class with me. But then, I guess there are so many of these helpers running around, I wont be able to recognise them at all!! In fact, I dont even know who my MP is!! Another amazingly Singapore!

“Will LHL our Commander-in-Chief, lead by example when Singapore has to fight off an invading enemy? Will the SAF officers do the same and follow the example of their Commander?”

Please lah, clown prince disappears when those saga of Mas Selamat, financial crisis, minibomb, temasek corpse, and many serious stuffs happen and that is not even threatening his life to address the issues, what make make you think he and his family will even fight the enemy as far as their life is concerned. To them , we are just digit to make money and to make sacrifice for them. These clowns sit in Ivory Tower in good times and bad times, and no doubt when war comes, they just likely to sit in Ivory Tower abeit in other countries, giving rhetoric and speech of “more good years” and “golden period”.

23) Rurehe on June 11th, 2009 3.59 pm ,

he may leads his famiLee to elsewhere instead of our army then.

No need for war to see them go running. Every year, from June to August, you get to see the ministers going abroad for this or that – to run away from the climate heat in Singapore. You think they will stick around if there is a war outbreak?

Why not send all these comments to Finance Minister Yoon Jeung Hyun to digest and uncover the PM’s mask.

I think it is too easy to laugh or feel outraged by PM’s statements.

For the fun of it, let me try to see whether it is possible to try to defend him in a most dispassionate or impartial way:

(1) Is it praiseworthy for a leader of a country to fly by commercial plane instead of a private jet?

Obviously, yes. It saves public money. The leader has indeed shown a good example by putting up with a little discomfort for the sake of not being wasteful.

(2) When a foreign dignitary implied that your country is rich, should you deny that you are rich out of humility or should you agree haughtily?

Obviously, a socially-intelligent leader will show humility.

(3) Does receiving a multi-million salary disqualify a leader from behaving in a humble way?

PM receives such a high pay as a result of a decision by the Parliament. In fact, it is because of his high pay that he has to act more humbly.

(4) Are all humble acts by rich people necessarily hypocritical or false?

Obviously, not. I personally know of many multi-millionaires who only eats food at the food courts. Warren Buffet is another example. As far as I know, PM does not drive a Muceilago or a Scaglietti although I’m sure he can afford both.

(5) Is the people’s respect for a leader inversely proportional to his salary?

Respect for a leader has nothing to do with his salary. Respect will be earned if the people know that the leader is competent, sincere and works only for the welfare of the people and the country.

(6) Should a political leader of a small country be paid so highly?

This is the most difficult one to answer. How high is too high? Ultimately, it is the Parliament that decides.

Spore Ministers or top civil servants flying economy class ?. My foot. Even on their private holidays these people can well afford to fly First or Business class. Fly economy class for our ministers and other top elites? It will never happen. Business class is possible as some commercial flights have only Business and Economy Class cabin.

I don’t believe Ass Loong will flying economy class plane seats with the patient. With the spiraling of cases of H1N1, he wont want to sit with those potential infected people. For a PM who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth its highly and earn $3 million a year, he is unlikely to sacrifice his comfort and health to travel in econmony class seats.

Wow…the bull’s output is such a huge pile. SG MPs are arrogant and ’save face’, do you think they will actually fly economy class??? If only someone can unearth the spending scandal in SG govt (like the recent case uncovered in UK) that would be a great deed done to SG citizens. PM Lee can only be PM because of LKY, count himself lucky.

let’s call a spade a spade…he’s lying. Period.

The headline really should have been “PM Lee gives false impression of humility”.

I once flew with a very senior politician and both of us sat in the front row of economy class to Bangkok. No special treatment except air stewardess greeting him more frequently. I think a distinction needs to be made between spending your own salary and using public finances. What ministers or senior officials do during their vacation or leisure is their own business as long as they don’t claim allowances like how UK MPs do. I’m not trying to justify ministerial salaries here but just want to note the point on air travel.

Can the AG-annual audit verify such statement against expenses?

GO through all the travel expenses esp air ticket bookings. Note any deviation and un-discrepant acts.

I am sure the truth will be found. And the truth shall set us free from such guessing, fingerpointing and embarrassment.

last year..a group comprising minsters and government officials were on the same flight (SQ) to Dubai. Prior to the actual trip from Changi Airport:

We were contacted one day in advance to arrive at check in 2 hours earlier than the recommended (at least 2 hrs) for a thorough “pasar malam” inspection of all luggages. A 2nd round for hand carried items was conducted at the waiting area. Throughout the entire 7 hrs trip…they occupied the first/business class…nobody was allowed to see them face to face. All was shrouded in mystery right up to arrival…they were treated like royalties! Humility…my foot!

For one who conspicuously absent when needs c all for and who does not smoke – ironically smoked very well indeed to pervades the distant : Korea with the puff to choke us here – we really ta boleh tahan liao…..

Maybe the south korean was being sarcastic when he asked the question…

Is it true that LKY only take economy class to say KL or Thailand or any country within the 6 hour hinterland? I mean , based on that person say that “Singapore’s senior officials fly economy class, not first class, for flights under six hours”?

Could someone comfom comfom?

PM Lee said senior officials. I don’t think he was referring to cabinet members but specifically civil service senior officials?

It is pretty amazing that he could lie thru his teeth without choking. Yet we have Straits Times sugar-coated such lies and deliver to our consumption, presumably election is coming. I hope Singaporeans can boycott ST (thru cancellation of subscription) during election times.

A note to the Prime Minister: you may or may not seat SIA planes for your foreign trips, but that doesn’t mean you can earn $2 to $3m being the PM of Singapore. Compare that with US President Obama and Aussie PM Kevin Rudd, whom both are in charge of a superpower that has 400m people, and 21m people respectively, and who has more responsibilities as a leader.

If PM Rudd can earn only A$200,000 to $300,000 as the Australian Prime Minister, while President Obama takes in US$400,000- and both were millionaires, and still are- when they came into office, it goes to show that whether one’s rich or poor, serving the country is more than just earning big bucks.

So why is the PM earning 7-8 times more than the top leaders in far larger countries and who has more responsibilities?

You can earn big bucks even before you join the public service- and once you’re a public servant, and the leader of the country, you have to accept its a form of public service to the country and your people. And that calls for sacrifice on your part. It should not be just about the money that leads people to serve their country as public services.

I just want to let mr Leong know, it is true that even singaporean NITEC holders are offered $900 a month salary. Just ask those who been there. So, I am really impressed by your findings as well.

I think some senior minister sit in a Lexus correct? if the same theory applies, why dont they just drive a Toyota??

Can Lee Hsien Loong show his humility to Taiwanese too? Will they buy his words? here is their answers to LHL:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KghUI7fBIk

“It is pretty amazing that he could lie thru his teeth without choking. Yet we have Straits Times sugar-coated such lies and deliver to our consumption, presumably election is coming. I hope Singaporeans can boycott ST (thru cancellation of subscription) during election times.”

What can be worse than using citizen’s money to fund their instrument of lies.

Remind me of the Japanese gahmen who force wealthy Chinese to donate large sum of money to fund Japanese war and yet sarcastically praise these Chinese for been so understanding and loyal.

Lead by example? Yeah, then draw a more acceptable salary. Salary should never be higher than the US President cos how can Singapore be compared to the superpower? All our highly-paid government ministers have even to kow-tow to the US, so how can you earn more than them?

We would rather you fly first-class or biz-class as our leaders and lower your obscene salary to more manageable levels. We would be less embarrassed that way. But alas, their salaries is a taboo subject, no-go, OB markers and non-negotiable item.

I have a feeling the presidents and prime ministers of US, UK, Australia, Japan, France, Germany, China are all corrupted and dishonest since they are all drawing salaries way below our demi-gods. This has to be so going by the logic propounded by our government that they have to paid highly to minimise dishonesty and corruption. A bunch of congenital liars, period!

If some [interpret as at least one] PAP members several notches lower in rank to the PM, MM, SM and deputy PMs have been found to be earning $6-8 million pa in govt linked companies, can it be possible for the PM, MM and other senior ministers to be earning less, in the region of $1-3 million pa? Maybe I am wrong, as someone in a previous post advanced the argument that comparing incomes in this way is not comparing like with like. The previous chairman of Keppel Corp was earning about $8 million pa for the few years before his retirement. This person was a PAP member attached previously to NTUC. Maybe someone can tell me this was just an exception. But I cannot rule out there are far more exceptions than this.

Since GCT’s wife viewed a yearly income of $600,000 pa as mere peanuts, an income of $1.5 million might just seem as peanuts-plus to her. Presumably she had info or knowledge of people earning by the millions, rather than a million or two.

This idea may not be far-fetched: that govt ministers and other PAP elites can probably afford to buy an apartment in each of the 3-5 major cities in the world, after being in service for just a dozen years, or even for a shorter period.

Can these people be expected to stay and die fighting for Singapore, if or when the going gets rough? Answer: doubtful.

Talking about salary, Are these clowns only earn in region of millions from their gahmen title ? How about their appointment in GIC, Temasek, GLC ? They say that there is no free lunch, so are their appointment FOC ?

#12 Peter Selers…i thought you can only act funny, but commemt was too…

Hahahahaha…LOL….

Good question TOC , on when was the rules, changed….

if Singaporeans are laughing, i wonder what people from other countries will be doing….laughing even louder… I guess.

49) Daniel on June 11th, 2009 10.15 pm
Talking about salary, Are these clowns only earn in region of millions from their gahmen title ? How about their appointment in GIC, Temasek, GLC ? They say that there is no free lunch, so are their appointment FOC ?

If they were to disclose all their total combined salary + all the additional appointments hold in the various sectors within the TH & GIC, I believe this can cause a real riot outbreak in Singapore history. Thats why everything within TH & GIC are still being kept very tightly away from anyone except for a handful of family members and close associates today.

and may even cause an outbreak of the military, just imagine how those citizens who are made mandatory to risk their lives serving the 2.1/2 years NS at a misearable monthly salary which is worse than those foreign banglah workers while they keep helping and self rewarding themselves with millions and millions of the taxpayers money into their own bank a/c. Just use your head and think why that Teo chap who is so well respected and liked by the military was suddenly promoted to deputy PM and transfer to the PM office?

Hello Daniel #49 – For your info, all board of directors are paid handsome director’s fees. There is no such thing as FOC appointment. Money is the key. If you take a look at the board members of TH & GIC link companies, you will see that many top brass in the civil service and also from the armed forces are board members of these companies. This is how the elites reward their own members. So nothing is for free. No money no talk.

hmmm…. military men taking on top govt positions in the country? sounds like some communist regime. hmmm….

no wonder the affinity with China, & now Myanmar?

o.O

[...] Read the rest here. [...]

Wow in this case … our politicians cum businessmen not only the highest paid in the world for top positions, they win it by a mile ! Part-time job for minister and gahmen already get millions, and full job isn’t more handsomely paid especially with government relationship to do business. Where in the world people do half-fart job and still get millions ? Only in Uniquely Singapore.

Go to the polls and show PM lee what is humility that he wants. There is a limitation on the insult of our intelligence. Shitty times editors should have not even mentioned this crap on the papers. when u pay peanuts u get monkeys, very true.

Try flying from central america to Singapore on economy class for business trip. A total of 24 hours on the sky and x hours staying at transit point. They should all switch to economy class no matter how long the flight time!

Oh well, the PM is right! Singapore IS NOT an affluent country after all the losses made by his fatrher and wife. But his is an affluent family, drawing millions of dollars in pay so no need to have private jet lah.Continue to use Sinkies taxpayers money to fly him here and there is good enough.

Each year we Sporeans keep the Minsters up there, each year we are contributing to their next property elsewhere along with a neat sum of money to retire. Pls Sporeans, we are bleeding money for their selfish plans. Do you think they will be around when you need them? On the contrary, they will even sell you out, look at the foreign workers allowed in. Stop & Think! Is this what you really want?

I have reservations if what PM said is a fact or even documented in the IM (govt instruction manual) that senior civil servants and political leaders (they are not the same) must travel by economy class. My suspicion is that depending on grade and travel requirements, they fly by economy, business or even first-class.

Can someone verify? If so, PM has (inadvertently?) provided inaccurate information and our MSM is complicit in broadcasting sound bites without checking.

Is this good journalistic practice to just regurgitate what persons in authority utter?

aiyoyo

thought elites dont bluff people one,

is it now commoners kana smoked?

why like that huh? how next time?

aiyoyo

mice is nice #54 – For your info, many ex top armed forces men are holding top posts in GLCs and TLCs. Apart from ministers, top people in LTA, CAAS, SIA, PUB, PSA, MPA. Spring Spore etc are all top ex-military men. These people get double rewards. After their retirement, most are given top posts and with guaranteed high income too. The elites get richer where the farmers/labourers get poorer.

LHL’s shameless attempt to win approval.

It goes to show that the fault lines are cracking in the Singapore system and the elections are near.

First we had Napolean, Squealer and the nine dogs. Well we need a lot of position after 40 years, there are hell of a lots on pigs and dogs. But they are no longer called pigs and dogs but elites, who have the ultimate brains because of their breed.

Like what #59 white raven mentioned, that singapore is now poorer after the recent investment lost, perhaps there is more than meets the eye in what our PM said.

Perhaps the depth or debt that our leading investment companies has incurred in the recent financial storm is more than what was announced. Perhaps we are a lot less affluent than what used to be…

Plus if it is true that he can lie about such things (flight sittings), he can lie about our money also.

No transparency, no idea what is happening to our money.

There seems to be a depth perspection issue when we talk about prudence lately.

Considering econ vs business class, the difference is probably $1+K tops, i.e. 1 with 3 zeros.

Just yesterday, announced that GSK invested $600m for new vaccine plant here. Also Health Minister said $25m spend on building 3 new nursing homes for our elderly. These are 600 and 25 with 6 zeros behind. Considering known TH losses till Nov 2008 + BoA + Barclays + ABC Learning + etc.. of at least $60+ billions, that is 60 with 9 zeros. This translates to about 100 new high-tech plants or 7200 nursing homes.

And we always lament why our home-grown industries are not picking up or that our retirees should go to Johor.

“However, Singapore cabinet ministers on the average earn 20 to 50 times more per dollar of GDP compared to politicians of other developed countries like US, Britain, etc.”

Wow! That’s amazing! With such an amazing fact, the citizens must be earning tonnes more than Americans & British as well! Oh wait… We don’t…

Gosh, how does he even manage to sleep at night? We all know how many poor Singaporeans can be helped & saved with a fraction of his exorbitant salary.

In this world, only here you set and raise your own salary.
Ask yourself, is your salary set by you ? of course NOT, it’s by your Boss.

So, who is the boss of them ?? Simple logic.

Give PM and yrself a break, TOC.

There are more impt issues to criticise, highlight than this.

these are connected to more important issues.

Hi A Tan, This IS an important Issue.It’s because we dont question or highlight flaws in certain policies that we end up paying the price.Never forget, Mr.Tan, dont trust any politician.They are there for the power, status and $.

Just yesterday also, Christiano Ronaldo sold to Real Madrid for $130m. If Singapore Inc.is to blow $60+ billions in investments (mind here, not even considering GIC losses), we should be able to buy … let see … 460 Ronaldo’s. Sure chance for Red Dot for a World Cup title, expresso! How’s that for investment worth! No need to be emboiled with LBW/STTA/Coach Liu over an Olympic silver.

For those comparing salary. Why no noise over the many years for NS servicemen? MPs salaries are pegged to their “alternative economical worth” if working in the private sector. But for a Singapore male with ‘A’ level or Poly diploma, how much are they paid during 2+ years? More than their “economical worth” of $900-1800 starting salary WHEN they join the market AFTER serving NS?? 100,000’s have been short-changed over the years & we are stingy over a business class ticket? Now, every company tries to get cheapest labor while their management pay themselves top dollars for implementing such clever schemes. Going by our NS policy, Singapore Inc. sure has lots of experience!! I hope some ladies MPs, like the infamous LBW or that Indranee something, etc.. take this up during their next Parliament speech. Show us your monthly $10,000+ worth!

69) Mr A Tan, OK, over to you for the more important issues ….

Just heard also, Christiano Ronaldo sold to Real Madrid for S$130m. If TH can blow $60+ billions on investments (mind here, not taking GIC losses in acc.) then we should be able to buy… let see… 460 Ronaldo’s! Sure chance for Red Dot for a World Cup next. How’s that for investment worth! No need to be emboiled with the messy LBW/STTA/Coach Liu stuff…

Talking salary. Why no noise over the years for our NS servicemen? Our MPs salaries are pegged to their “alternative economical worth” in the private sector. But a Singapore male with A level or Poly diploma is definitely paid less than the $900-$1800 starting salary that they CAN get if they join the market during the 2+ service years. Sure every company tries to pay the cheapest labor while their management pay themselves fat bucks for thinking of such clever schemes! As such, Singapore Inc. sure has lots of experience. I would like to see some ladies MPs like the infamous LBW and that Indranee something, etc… take this up during the next Parliament sitting.

69) Mr A Tan. Ok, over those you for the more important issues…

What a mockery!

Ya A Tan

This concerns us because it’s our tax money that they are spending hor…

With highest pay in the world for politicians,
I humbly like to know,
if anyone knows,
why then we still rely on USA for prosperity?
Or is the understanding less than correct?

By:
3 tablets on standby

If PM takes economy class, they probably have to vacate at least 5 rows in front and behind where he sits for security reason. Correct me if I am wrong.

If so, an economy flight would theoretically cost tax payers
5 x 7 seats per row = 45 seats + 1 (that guy) = 46 x economy flight ticket price?????

and if we add the security guys or medical team that tag along…….

someone, please spare my agony! tell me if this true.

*assumption: 1 row has 7 seats where 2 for the window seats and 3 for the center column seats. Also, i assume this is theoretical discussion for purpose of enlightement only.

If so, an economy flight would theoretically cost tax payers
2 x 5 x 7 seats per row + 1 = 70 seats + 1 (that guy) = $ (71 x economy flight ticket price)?????

and if we add the security guys or medical team that tag along…….

someone, please spare my agony! tell me if this true.

*assumption: 1 row has 7 seats where 2 for the window seats and 3 for the center column seats. Also, i assume this is theoretical discussion for purpose of enlightement only.

please lah stop talking about the salary….highest in the world….. if our pm can
lead a good example for all ministers to follow…..salary cuts by just 40% or 50%….the whole of singapore will shed tears of happiness…..that’s what we can call our LEADER!!!! but no lah….very scare…..everybody talk about…..better still if nobody talks about it….the chinese used to say take first win first…

Set an honest example by following that of a Japan Airline CEO.
That’s been honourable.
Watch this if you have not already done so :
http://www.boreme.com/boreme/funny-2008/jal-ceo-takes-pay-cut-p1.php

1) Live in 3 Brm HDB flat
2) Give 90% of his assets the poor
3) Take home $1300 a month

AND EXPERIENCE WHAT IT’S LIKE TO AN ORDINARY SINGAPOREAN WORKER!

And stop all that BS about flying economy class. That’s just cheap publicity stunt.

I believe for VIPs, the relevant airline might upgrade the seats automatically to business class or better, if they deem the customer to be a VIP or someone with potential to become one.

So this point about travelling economy is moot.

Eh isa @84, ya hah, policy to travel economy, but he can upgrade to first class then claim under transport allowances or be invited to seat in first class without paying extra. Afterall SIA is also state owned mah.

Evidently there is a lot of heartburn about high salary. If I am the ministers today I will be a bit uneasy. High is relative. Our CEOs draw $1mill to $20 mill salary. Jobwise, the ministers’ responsibility and performance are at the level of the CEOs if not more.

Let just look at the meteoric rise of a minister. Adm Lui, ex navy chief, ship collided, sailors died under his ‘watch’. He was on front page crying ‘we want our crew back’ Salary maybe $200k a year?? Hop to PSA. PSA functioned normally maybe with improvement in Security etc. Salary maybe also $200K a year. Then to Tg Pagar and now Acting Minister, salary $1.5 million a year? (not sure)

They argued that salary is not that high as some ministers suffered income lost when they joined the Govt. true but what has it got to do with Adm Lui’s ability and pay escalation from $200K to $1.5 mill? There must be moderation.

At the end of the day, they will also draw a pension or commuted to a lump sum based on their Pensionable Emoluments (P.E.) and length of service. It would be interesting to know the difference between the P.E. and the actual pay.

One morning 30 years ago I said the Parliament is such that a vote to increase MP’s salary can easily be passed. Today my wife thinks I am so clever to predict the outcome.

Anyway compared to Singapore’s achievement and net worth it is still ’small beer’

Thinktok @86: “Anyway compared to Singapore’s achievement and net worth it is still ’small beer’”

What achievement and what net worth? There are old men & women bent double picking cardboards, there are blind people selling tissue papers, there are disabled people stuck within their 4 walls, there are many children brought up by maids (not parents), there are many children left behind in the education system, there are 90% population living in 99 yr leasehold (in effect having ZERO assets) and unsure about retirement age & income, there are……..
‘Small beer’? What about paying them another few millions per year then?

bordeless, you ask the PM to “EXPERIENCE WHAT IT’S LIKE TO AN ORDINARY SINGAPOREAN WORKER”

He can tell blatant lies and get away with it and he can easily FIX opposition so why would he need to do that? UK ruling party’s own members are calling for their PM to resign. Spore’s PM has his Daddy to protect him ok. His silver spoon is guaranteed, better than the princes of England!

“If our ministers really want to lead by example, perhaps they could consider reducing their salaries some more, as a $1.5 million annual salary is still unjustifiably high.”

Perhaps Pres Obama should also come and straighten these people up and set their maximum annual salary to not more than S$300,000.

87) Not Goondu

Frankly i find your arguement hard to understand. 99 year leasehold (zero asset). That generally freehold is more valuable than leasehold I can agree. But some leasehold properties are very expensive about $2000/sq ft and you call them Zero asset. Do you know what you are talking?

Your other points have no bearings and I think you are frightening yourself for nothing.

If Mr Lee’s detractors here are right, then

Equation 1: high salary + high office = hypocrisy – respectability – humility,

Equation 2: But, high office = respectability,

Equation 3: If hypocrisy = high salary + humility,

Therefore, substituting Equation 3 into Equation1:

high salary + high office = (high salary + humility) – respectability – humility,

Solving, high office = minus respectability! (Equation 4)

Please note that Equation 2 and Equation 4 contradicts each other. This proves that Equation 1 is wrong and the thrust of this article is false!

I don’t understand why the flights on economy class were raised now. Many years back when the economy was GOOD, I had the benefit to see my senior management leading by example by flying economy flights around the world, and questioning anyone down the hierarachy for doing otherwise (unless of course, the person pays for it personally!).
If this remark was given during good times, I would have given an A grade immediately, because for the salary these policy makers receive, and the accountability to funds usage, that is a mark of blameless prudence.

With salaries near millions, all ministers can buy their own business class tickets and still have plenty left….. No need to make our ministers look cheap by flying economy class. Hope, they are thinking of using Budget Airlines !

“Jangantembak mayin”

why does anyone believe Pinky etc give a fuxk about what singaporeans kaopeh, how singaporeans are doing, how to help them etc etc??

after every election he, prata man, wooden, etc etc are GUARANTEED at least $20 million dollars(!!!) each no matter what they do or don’t do or how screw up they are.

they don’t give a fuxk about what we want because by just conning sinkies one time, they already gasak enough to live their elite lives many many times over.

why bother with doing a good job to secure your living when you know u don’t need to?

There was a previous Project Director at LTA who had some funny military title – BG or something like that. He was in charge of one of the MRT lines but when he chaired the consultants’ meeting, it was obvious that he was not a technical man at all as he had to rely on his engineers to advise him. In fact, his engineers joked that he play more golf than attending meetings.

This is PAP’s own interpretation of ‘meritocracy’ – You angkat me, I appoint you.

Dear BayesianThinker,

The equations don’t contradict. All they prove is that under the ASSUMPTION that high office = respectability (which you have yet to justify), then high office = 0.

That in itself is a good theorem. i’ll post your “proof” on my facebook page :-)

E-Jay

Hi BayesianThinker #91,

You forgot an equation:

respectability = 0

#95 Anonymous

“This is PAP’s own interpretation of ‘meritocracy’ – You angkat me, I appoint you.”

We have better examples:

[1] Ms Ho Ching – what were her qualifications/experience when she was appointed
as Managing Director of Singapore Technologies or when she became Deputy Chairman of the Economic Development Board? In fact there was a period when she was holding these positions at the same time. When some American businessmen suggested that there might be a conflict of interest and undue business advantage benefiting Singapore Technologies because of her role in EDB [having first hand insider information, for instance], the govt or EDB argued in her favor. Likewise, what meritocracy are we talking about with regard to her position as CEO of Temasek? Somebody or some people wanted her to be seen as one of the most powerful women in the world, with the power or means to invest, or to lose, by the billions. That presumably was the whole intent.

[2] LSY – what were his qualifications/experience when he was placed as chairman of Singtel or, for that matter, as the now chairman of F & N? Special or extraordinary business acumen?

Some time ago, I read in our ST that LHL flew to an Asean meeting by RSAF plane. What kind of plane is this? A private jet? Special air force plane?

i dun agree that what pm lee said were out of place. it was nothing more that a normal exchange of courtesies, why make a heap of personal attacks out of it?

pm lee may have come from a privileged background, but there is nothing to suggests that he is arrogrant or lacking in humility. from my own observations, it is the opposites. the issue of pay is something we disagree with. but that policy wasnt started under his watch; even if he had wanted to change that, it would not have been easy too.

Good, you take economy class. Please refuse upgrade (offered often to economy class passengers) when there are empty seats in the business or first class. That will be walking the talk!

A Tan, it’s about Leadership and Values. Are these not important for the country???

Look at the state of our society where do you think the underlying values come from???

if the prime minister was to fly ‘economy’ on SIA, would he be treated as a ‘economy class’ pax?? hiii ….. be wuld be treated as first class pax seated on an economy seat and before long will be offered a business class seat.. heeee…. flight attendants should know. any flight stewardesses reading this?

#100

what are you even talking about?

“would not have been easy” = accept fate? what kind of leader is that? a lazy one?

tells us to eat “bitter pills” ALL THE TIME, GOOD AND BAD and says money can fix corruption while the poor can’t depend just $1 more on their government. what kind of attitude is that? if that is not lacking in humility………………..

you are seriously #########

#100

you are stupi-d. really stupi-d.

oh, what an ungentlemenly response.

it clearly shows the kind of gutter level people out there doesnt it?
(read: dark forces)

LOL.

Hi Ah Tua #99,

The plane is the Fokker 50 and the Asean meeting was the aborted Pattaya Summit. You can find the photos of the Singapore Delegation (including the plane) to the aborted Pattaya Summit here. The range of the Fokker 50 is about 2,000km while the distance between Seoul and Singapore is 4700km. I seriously doubt if LHL can fly to Seoul on a Fokker 50.

LHL can fly to Seoul on a Fokker 50 if
a) the plane stops at either Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen,Taipei, etc to refuel,
b) the plane was modified to have inflight refueling capability…… if only wife and father had been prudent with state investments

or LHL can fly to Seoul using C130, long range airplane.
This is a better option, especially with his entourage, helps to keep costs in check. After dropping LHL and his stooges off at Seoul, C130 can then fly off and park for free at one of S.Korea’s military airbase, which can also provide free lodging, meals for C130 crew.

And of course should some unforseen mishap occur with the C130, we can trust the pilots to save themselves and dump those useless politicians onboard the flight. Many of us would be eternally grateful. LOL

HI 96) Ng E-Jay and 97) smallvice585,

Yes, you are correct to say that there is no contradiction between Equations 2 and 4 only if both High Office and Respectability are zero.

But I hope that both of you realize the consequences of that assumption, and it is not what you think. You may think that you are positing that PM lack the qualification for high office or that he does not deserve respect.

No. Mathematical equations cannot just be applied to specific instances. Mathematics is a universal language. If you say High Office =0 or Respectability = 0, you are actually saying that they both have no value. That is, a person’s appointment as a cleaner, a manager or a CEO has no bearing on a person’s capability. And that whether a person is worth respecting or not is not important. Obviously, on both counts, even if we have minimal social experience, we know that cannot be true.

Also, it is a sign of intellectual lassitude to simply assign zero values to certain variables to circumvent contradictory equations. If Einstein was to behave likewise, he would have solved the Theory of Everything a long time ago!

To enjoy a good reputation,give publicly,and steal privately.

About this, It’s true that the so-called “LEE” family has taken the whole little red dot over…But me as a LEE family, i seriously never see any benefits for me too…what’s going on with the surname..It’s not abt it,it’s about that family…From White House to Singtel to parliament to wherever, it’s just them. But if not for old man, singapore wun be as NOW. Singapore would be like OTHERS. H1N1 anyhow spread,more corruption, no CDAC, no MENDAKI etc, no racial harmony but riots and riots.

But for now, what we can do is wait is for the LEE family response on this and see what their thinking is like.It’s true I never seen them on economy planes before. And I agree to one of the commenter that maybe he book the whole ECONOMY plane for himself. Also cant imagine what he used his money on other things too.Think clothes all that must be tailored then food also must be fresh all that..whatever etc bla bla bla..

But if our little red dot is being overtaken by some other ppl, WHAT IF, there’ll be more corruptions?more riots?more laws loosen?

Cutting their pay is one thing.If you cut their pay,isn’t it the same becoz at most u cut by 10%,also a lot..u cut by half, also almost a million, what’s the diff?not possible also..

I’m not helping them or against them, I’m a LEE also. But what I see is true they took too much from us.esp the tax,GST whatever u all complained.

But in life it will never happen that ALL,EVERYONE will be as rich as they think, if this happens, the world will come to an end. everything will be in a mess seriously. I rather be normal with a happy life than famous,f***ing rich but leading aimless unhappy life.

It is simply unbelieveable that S’pore Ministers “fly economy class, not first class, for flights under six hours”. Can you imagine LKY or LHL squeezing with the peasants in economy class ection???!!! What did LKY fly economy class on his recent trip to KL??

I bet my last dollar that they either fly First Class or SIA gave all of them FREE upgrades from Economy Class to First Class onboard!!

Lego,

It is not FREE upgrade, its still on the taxpayers’ tab because SIA is state owned. It is just very clever way of deceiving people that he is prudent with taxpayers money.

tazmania @111,

Spore has turned out to be what it is – belonging to one familee only, is because of people like you and there are lots of your type around. You are leading normal and happy life while there are children with ill parents to support them or people supporting their elderly parents besides their own family, parents who have seriously ill children or ill elderly parents, families with disabled members or in fact just ordinary families with children but no family life (parents working 12 hours a day with children left to maids or grandparents). Spare a thought!

tazmania @111,

I do not expect your type to do anything but please let the others who care enough to get on. If you want to suppress anybody, at least do not suppress the already suppressed. The PAP is powerful enough to do that, they don’t need you.

If everybody is like you, worrying that life will be worse for yourself if we rock the boat, this whole world will still be in the dark ages!

To Thinktok

Re your post “Frankly i find your arguement hard to understand. 99 year leasehold (zero asset). That generally freehold is more valuable than leasehold I can agree. But some leasehold properties are very expensive about $2000/sq ft and you call them Zero asset. Do you know what you are talking?”

- Ya, pehaps my argument is too cheem for you, perhaps you should think harder.

- “That generally freehold is more valuable than leasehold” – it is NOT GENERALLY, it is more valuable because freehold is truly yours – FOREVER, you own it! Leasehold is a tenure, it runs out after the contracted yrs, meaning even if your property is $2000/sq ft, it becomes ZERO at the end of it. So it does not matter whether the leasehold property is very expensive or not. Your HDB flat will begin depreciating in value after 25 to 50 yrs, this is partly why the Govt got to inflate the value of HDB. With the inflated value, the depreciation is well hidden, on the contrary, it seems your flat is valuable asset since you can make a profit selling it before the tenure runs out. If the value of an average flat is inflated to £1 mil, what happens if your flat is in its 90th year? Do you think it is still worth £1 mil?

- Do YOU know what YOU are talking??????? I hope you are not a graduate!

Re: “Your other points have no bearings and I think you are frightening yourself for nothing.”

- Oh ya, I can see now of course why YOU make such a statement! No lah, I am not frighten lah, just sharing my caution with forumers lah. Perhaps its not for you lah.

Actually you are a Goondu!
A building has 2 lives. One economic life and the other physical life.
Before your HDB flat reaches its physical life (99 years) it already surpassed its
economic life and therefore will be torn down, rebuild through ‘enbloc’.

You are just bitchy and you bury your head in the sand.

Govt do not inflate HDB resale prices. What for? You are Govt this Govt that. What depreciation is well hiden?? You are really cheem but in the wrong sense.

Ya la, resort to calling me ‘Goondu’ lah, bitchy lah, bury head in sand lah, then your argument will sound more credible hor?

Are you saying ALL HDB flats will be torn down and rebuild through ‘enbloc’ after some years. If yes, how many years? If you can provide this info, everyone will thank you, no need to dump and buy freehold overseas for our retirement and children’s future financial security sake.

Indeed Govt do not inflate HDB RESALE, they increase (inflate) NEW flat prices. The excuse – follow market trend (when the original idea of HDB is to provide affordable housing for Sporeans). When prices of new flat is high, of course resale will follow. Get it?????

“Before your HDB flat reaches its physical life (99 years) it already surpassed its
economic life and therefore will be torn down, rebuild through ‘enbloc’.”

enbloc for what ? usually for another ‘better’ block (either again public or private) ? at higher prices or lower prices ?

this has the tendency to inflate the price if it seen in the context of private property prices & also in the new flats of public housing – both of which will be chased by ↑ no. of people (both locals and foreigners of both low-skilled and the very rich allowed because of liberal open policies).

“Govt do not inflate HDB resale prices. What for?”

The above explain how it gets inflated.

As for what for ? You can’t tax on raw resources as you do not have any. So you tax / rent-seek on human resources and static properties. Why ? bcos you need local currency funds for internal public consumption & foreign exchange / reserves for import of a lot of things which you do not have ? the exact mechanic is pretty fluid and it is anyone’s guess ? Anyone who cares to debunk ?

Thinktok re “Before your HDB flat reaches its physical life (99 years) it already surpassed its economic life and therefore will be torn down, rebuild through ‘enbloc’.”

Please confirm if this is your assumption. Please also enlighten me what value will the compensation be based on. Is there really no difference between a 50 yr old flat and a 5yr old flat?

Dear Thinktok and Not Goondu

99 years leasehold surpasses your lifespan and your children’s lifespan. So why care so much about its value. We will be dead and our children will be dead. You leave the valueless miserable lease expiring apartment to perhaps your grandchildren to fight over it. You won’t be able to know what they will do with it. So just live life and be happy.

Dear fairplay

I know someone will say what you say but it is not the end of the lease that you will see the effect, you start to realise the depreciation after 25 yrs! Think about your 5 yr old car compared to your new car. I don’t see how HDB dwellers can consider HDB an asset.

Hey guys, my NORMAL life is = parent separated, bro and sis live elsewhere,both parents not working,i only breadwinner,loansharks and loansharks..u think my normal life is like MM Lee ar…

I just saying no matter what,just be happy lor..don’t complain so much..And see what is the government next step is,and what they will say abt this..tt’s all I’m trying to say..

go sue the government if u got power lor..

>99 years leasehold surpasses your lifespan and your children’s lifespan.

unless ur lifespan is 50, u r talking cock

Vote for PAP………….and get SCREWED for another 5years……..

Doesn’t matter what class they fly, truth is our beloved PM & his stooges don’t mean what they say……..

Wonder how long more will us (lesser mortals) suffer in silence………

We need a miracle……short of a ‘divine intervention’ to get rid of this A Team!

From Third World to First World???? For whom??????

I’ll believe it when I see a minister sitting next to me in Economy class!

Yes, it might be the policy for the ministers to fly economy but with the kind of $ they are being paid, these senior officials would have no problem upgrading out of their own pocket…

So it basically boils down to their pay packet which I think is the main point of the article…

It is inexcusable for scientist to torture animals ;let them make their experinents on journalists and politicians.

Should go into Ripley believe It or Not gallery.

“Hello Daniel #49 – For your info, all board of directors are paid handsome director’s fees. There is no such thing as FOC appointment. Money is the key. If you take a look at the board members of TH & GIC link companies, you will see that many top brass in the civil service and also from the armed forces are board members of these companies. This is how the elites reward their own members. So nothing is for free. No money no talk.”

I have always wondered, if we, the tax payers are the pay masters of these MIWs and other ministers in the cabinet, shouldn’t they be performing their jobs full time?

I mean, I as a common worker are not allowed to hold a second job to my current one as laid out in my employment letter. Reason being, I will not be able to give my all to the job that the company is employing me for, so no second job. If discovered, I will be terminated with no second questions asked.

So, with these million dollar salaries, why is it then they are allowed to hold so many positions in so many places, be it a company or a stat board?
And if they are holding down so many jobs, which one is priority then? The minister job? Or the company or stat board job where they are accountable to their share holders?

If it is the latter, then, why the hell are we still paying these people to do a part time job? We are talking frigging 6 zeros here leh.

#129
A different set of rules set by the elites, it is no different from the ancient chinese dynasty style of ruling and we know wat happens to it.

What happened in the end of every dynasty — the emperor (Lee) is killed and replaced by another dynasty

APEC coming to town .State buys brand new BMW. Sproun up Orchard road. Spround up building around Ocrhard road. Street becomes brighter, moneis poured into landscaping.. . All becos they need to impress. The needs and urge to impress is syptom of secuirty. .ALL these year SIN are ignored .. when obamsa comes to town.. why care when cupboard lady in waterloo street are hidden away.. One price of a BMW is enough to give her a little luxury for balance period here on earth. SINs …

“APEC coming to town”

Did you forget one important thing that the state need to do ? That is the state need to keep 24 hours surveillance on Dr Chee and his accomplices to risk spoiling the millions-dollar Truman show.

PM LHL must be out of his mind when he said that minister take economy class. Can any body forgot that his mother have to be flown back home by SIA jet specially converted for her to brought her back to Singapore? Surely PM LHL must be mad if Singaporean believed him.

Next GE is kick ass time! Their infantile charade to disguise their true grit sickens to the gut.

Yes, let’s unite and kick them out, dump all papy trash, every single bit of it, into the trashbin, where they belong.

Which is more comfortable: fly in a first class seat with strangers around you or fly in a economy class seat with all the neighbouring seats up to four rows in front and behind you blanked out ? I would much rather fly in such an economy class seat. Besides I can also order anything that I want, including caviar, and of course any TV entertainment that even first class passengers do not get to enjoy.

Personally I think it is penny wise pound foolish to pay the ministers stratospheric salaries and then make them fly economy class. The drain on the taxpayers money on the ministers salaries runs into hundreds of millions, but the cost of a first class seat is but only ten thousand dollars.
I would much rather get the ministers to fly first class so that they can get refreshed quickly so as to start doing their job promptly upon arrival. They would save the national coffers 10000 dollars for every day they can start work earlier after a long flight.