If you haven't spewed your morning coffee yet, listen to this. Minister Thaman proposed the change for "recruitment of an additional staff officer to support the work of the Council of Presidential Advisers and a butler manager to meet increased demand for butler services, and the high variable payments on account of a strong economic growth". We know from Tom Plate's account that Lee Kuan Yew has two staff just to provide hot towels for his aching bones, but are there so many butlers there in the Istana that they need a "butler manager" to supervise the servants? It's bad enough to read of "higher variable payments", Tharman also uses the term '"ad hoc spending". Does the national budget also have a YOG styled "other costs" accounting entry?
Tharman tried to downplay the gross abuse of public funds by saying that the total expenditure for the "Civil List for the President of the Republic of Singapore" will be the same as the revised 2010 figure of $11,605,000. What he did not say to the public is that the original 2010 figure was $10,354,700. Why and when was the number "revised" by $1,250,300 to $11,605,000? Just in time for the 2011 budget?
By the way, while sky rocketing COEs are threatening the affordability of cars for those who need to drive for work purposes, these guys have also decided that the president needs a new office car. Are we even on the same planet?
Posts
It was amazing that for an important piece of news like this, the Straits Times had it as a sidenote deep inside the inner pages of the newspaper today. Obviously, they knew how politically sensitive this news was and self-censored the article to a place few people will notice.
ReplyDeleteThe President's pay was increased because of the benchmarking system the Government ministers implemented to benefit themselves. Teh Presidnet's pay must be the highest in the Government. In effect, it is only marginally than the PM (although if one includes the MP's allowance, I am not sure if the PM gets less than the Pres.). so, once the President's salary goes up, the PM,MM, SM, DPM, Minister's, and all other political appointees in the Govt will go up proportionately in step with the President's.
So, for Tharman to have been perfectly candid, he should disclose what is the impact on Government ministerial salaries will be casued by a $900,000 increase in the President's salaries. And if the increase in salaries is considered pensionable, then we have to pay them pensions based on these obscene salaries for the rest of their lives!
This is truly unbelievable. Don't these people realise when enough is enough?
Makes the Susan Lim case seem like peanuts compared with these guys. Where's the morality of these people?
The Man must have been serving the best pratas and curry flavours to the Cabinet Members all these years.
ReplyDeleteIt is bloody expensive to pay a cheap skate doing nothing.
The amount is worse(much higher) than a ransom.
patriot
May me also add that no matter how good and tasty the pratas are, I wont buy them as they are RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE!
ReplyDeletepatriot
if Ah Lee Baba and his son prosper, then this President should prosper too...afterall, he is guarding their treasure and that of the 80 thieves, right?
ReplyDeletesomehow i get the feeling Ah Lee Baba and his son have contingency plans for this GE.
in the event singaporeans boot them out, Ah Lee Baba will be appointed 'President Mentor' while his son becomes the (walk-over)President.
there you go! Ah Lee Baba and son gets to enjoy the pay rise while personally guarding their treasure.
ps: surely it is justifiable to hang thieves.
What daylight r....... ! Must take my hat off. Such nerve to be able to propose it with a straight face. These past few days, the amount of remedies/ improvements that were unleashed are mind-bloggling. So this un-abashed pay adjustment is not un-expected.
ReplyDelete3 sets of newspapers deliverd free to me today(11 Mar 11), 1 set of Lianhe Zaobao and 2 sets of Mypaper. Wonder what's up? Announcing the Good News of the President's pay rise to the people?
ReplyDeleteIs the Newspaper Company making too much money?
Hey, shareholders should ask man!
patrio
Hi Readers;
ReplyDeleteapology for the missing t in my nick for the Previous Post
patriot
They can't wait after election to increase their already obscene pay. It says something about their confidence in the upcoming election. This only happens in Singapore.
ReplyDeletebtw, it's a 26.4% raise instead of 20.8% which u had mentioned.
ReplyDeleteand you all thought the golden Tap in TT Durai NKF private office was bad...
ReplyDeleteI would suspect that MM is going to take over this position himself this coming EP election and so he planned the increase now and later no one can argue about this when he holds office.
ReplyDeleteThe Next President could very well be the Present Speaker Of Parliament Abdullah Tarmugi.
ReplyDeleteWho in their right mind will vote for such greedy bastards. People wake up, they are sucking your blood and money. They are living like kings and we have become their peasants
ReplyDeleteI believe in the aftermath of Yong Vui Kong's case that he realized the real president role has no right to offer clemency ! So all that presidential pardon is holy crap for a figure head. This must be a nice assuage to sooth an annoying talent, plus paving a path for the lucky "appointed" president whoever they have in mind next!
ReplyDeletePigs to the trough. Truly Animal Farm.
ReplyDelete..wonder where is TT Durai..I won't be surprise he becomes the president in couple of years time...since people have short memory in the country...
ReplyDeleteThey should castrate some PAP running dogs and make them eunuchs.
ReplyDelete