SINGAPORE – The committee reviewing political salaries has submitted its recommendations, but the Government will defer considering them until the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on Singapore is clearer.

The committee submitted its recommendations to the Government in April, said Coordinating Minister for Public Services Chan Chun Sing on May 6 in a written parliamentary reply to Mr Alex Yam (Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC).

Mr Yam had asked about the status of the review in view of recent global events.

“The Government recognises that the Middle East conflict is still ongoing, causing major economic uncertainties and clouding the outlook for Singapore,” said Mr Chan, who is also Defence Minister.

It will release the committee’s report together with the Government’s response “at the appropriate time” and MPs will have the opportunity then to review the report and Government response together “for a more meaningful debate”, he added.

An eight-person committee was formed in January to review the salaries of Singapore’s political appointment holders, which include all ministers and MPs.

It is chaired by Mr Gan Seow Kee, who is chairman of the Singapore LNG Corporation and an alternate member of the Council of Presidential Advisers.

The committee was asked to recommend the appropriate salary levels based on the current salary framework, and propose refinements where necessary so that the framework continues to be relevant.

The salaries have not been adjusted since 2012, when the Government accepted a review committee’s recommendations which put in place the current salary framework.

This is the second time in recent years that changes to political s...