From indepedence to free from foreign debts to amassing $100b in national reserve in a few decades... What is a few millions? I say lets not be penny wise and pound foolish. Yes yes... some people are saying there are many poor people around, civil servants should serve for free. But to me that is losing the big picture.
To me, Singapore can become what it is today is not because of the population is special. Everyone can think of how hardworking they are, how much they contribute to the economy etc. But the difference is at the top. What makes our fore fathers so special? Are they super effective, productive, creative? Did the early group of migrants have some special skills that other countries lack? I think the difference lies in the top.
Why compare our ministers pay to private sector and not to other ministers in other countries? Because the talent pool is global. If we don't snatch them up, others (private companies) will. And I don't agree that they should serve with their hearts, get less pay. I say lets get the best in terms of ABILITY and INTEGRITY. They can pocket millions if they like as long as they managed the country well and keep on bringing in the money.
And even if you compare to say U.S. of A., their presidents screw up much more then ours I'm sure. Just that they can afford it. So you pay peanuts you get monkeys.
Ok, I'm going to get a lot of flame for this. All I'm going to say is see the big picture.