Ministerial Salary Review

[Musings]

concern2:

Musings:

While I applaud his decision to enter politics and on the side of the opposition, please note that CSM has already made his millions as a partner in an international law firm. So like it or not, he has a safety net. I would not want him to be too poorly paid compared to what he used to earn either.

Hm...I do not quite agree with this, Musings. Precisely because he could be earning much more elsewhere that he did not have to enter politics in the first place, not to mention joining the oppositions.

Your argument brushes aside one of the key arguments for paying Ministers highly, which is that it is difficult to attract people of high calibre (and thus highly paid) to join politics in Singapore. When a character like CSM emergences, it crushes that argument. You may say, yeah, how many people are like CSM? That is true, he is unique. But he brings hope. He inspires children and many young people, who may one day be our future leader. CMS balances the extreme attitude that one should be \"realistic\".

It's about time we strike \"a sense of proportion\".

I don't disagree with your views or CSM's sincerity. I do think it is laudable for him to join politics on the opposition side no less and give up a lucrative career. There is no doubt he joined not for the money but with a desire to serve. But we should note that it is much easier for one to make this sort of decision when you already have millions in the bank account and not struggling to be financially secured.

[Strparent]

Musings:

I do think it is laudable for him to join politics on the opposition side no less and give up a lucrative career. There is no doubt he joined not for the money but with a desire to serve. But we should note that it is much easier for one to make this sort of decision when you already have millions in the bank account and not struggling to be financially secured.

so, what does that say about those 'high flyers' who had to be enticed into MIW with high pay ? and those who said if pay is tweaked further down, would be difficult to attract good ppl to join ?

most of these high flyers also make millions per year in pte sector for years, are they also not with 'safety net' as you termed ? So, are they less committed and passionate than CSM ? :scratchhead:

Paiseh, I find your line of argument flawed. :oops:

Actually, for those with no safety net, it was presumed last time that getting INTO the cabinet, would actually enhance the quality of the net. :evil:

[Musings]

Strparent:

Musings:

I do think it is laudable for him to join politics on the opposition side no less and give up a lucrative career. There is no doubt he joined not for the money but with a desire to serve. But we should note that it is much easier for one to make this sort of decision when you already have millions in the bank account and not struggling to be financially secured.

so, what does that say about those 'high flyers' who had to be enticed into MIW with high pay ? and those who said if pay is tweaked further down, would be difficult to attract good ppl to join ?

most of these high flyers also make millions per year in pte sector for years, are they also not with 'safety net' as you termed ? So, are they less committed and passionate than CSM ? :scratchhead:

Paiseh, I find your line of argument flawed. :oops:

Actually, for those with no safety net, it was presumed last time that getting INTO the cabinet, would actually enhance the quality of the net. :evil:

This is not a comparison between MIW and CSM but a point made about those who are already very successful in their careers. I still think a good salary is important for officer holders because they should not be 'penalised' too much for their desire to serve. It may not be easy to attract a talent like CSM if not for the fact that he is already well provided for and financial issues are less of a concern. So I do believe paying below a certain threshold will deter talented people from joining. The question of course is what is the threshold? The jury is still out on that one.

[concern2]

Musings:

concern2:

[quote=\"Musings\"]While I applaud his decision to enter politics and on the side of the opposition, please note that CSM has already made his millions as a partner in an international law firm. So like it or not, he has a safety net. I would not want him to be too poorly paid compared to what he used to earn either.

Hm...I do not quite agree with this, Musings. Precisely because he could be earning much more elsewhere that he did not have to enter politics in the first place, not to mention joining the oppositions.

Your argument brushes aside one of the key arguments for paying Ministers highly, which is that it is difficult to attract people of high calibre (and thus highly paid) to join politics in Singapore. When a character like CSM emergences, it crushes that argument. You may say, yeah, how many people are like CSM? That is true, he is unique. But he brings hope. He inspires children and many young people, who may one day be our future leader. CMS balances the extreme attitude that one should be \"realistic\".

It's about time we strike \"a sense of proportion\".

I don't disagree with your views or CSM's sincerity. I do think it is laudable for him to join politics on the opposition side no less and give up a lucrative career. There is no doubt he joined not for the money but with a desire to serve. But we should note that it is much easier for one to make this sort of decision when you already have millions in the bank account and not struggling to be financially secured.[/quote]Um...I don't know the last sentence there. It sounds the same as the argument of whether to start a business venture if you already have a job that pays well ( and hence have the financial backing) Or whether you should hang on to the job since it already pays well (why take the unnecessary risk). I think it boils down to a personal choice of which one is more important to him/her, which one will bring one more fulfillment, and like many has mentioned, \"a calling\". More more so because CMS has chosen to join the opposition, which runs him the risk of being sued, having his history/personal life dug up, being interrogated by reporters, and losing everything (like in the cases of those before him). Yes, he may have a better back up, but he didn't even have to consider joining in the first place, hence I don't think it is any easier decision to make on his part. Just my thoughts.

To me, joining the opposition is a difficult decision to make, whether you have money or not. Just talking about in extremes to illustrate - if you have nothing, what have you got to lose then?

[corneyAmber]

Musings:

Strparent:

[quote=\"Musings\"]I do think it is laudable for him to join politics on the opposition side no less and give up a lucrative career. There is no doubt he joined not for the money but with a desire to serve. But we should note that it is much easier for one to make this sort of decision when you already have millions in the bank account and not struggling to be financially secured.

so, what does that say about those 'high flyers' who had to be enticed into MIW with high pay ? and those who said if pay is tweaked further down, would be difficult to attract good ppl to join ?

most of these high flyers also make millions per year in pte sector for years, are they also not with 'safety net' as you termed ? So, are they less committed and passionate than CSM ? :scratchhead:

Paiseh, I find your line of argument flawed. :oops:

Actually, for those with no safety net, it was presumed last time that getting INTO the cabinet, would actually enhance the quality of the net. :evil:

This is not a comparison between MIW and CSM but a point made about those who are already very successful in their careers. I still think a good salary is important for officer holders because they should not be 'penalised' too much for their desire to serve. It may not be easy to attract a talent like CSM if not for the fact that he is already well provided for and financial issues are less of a concern. So I do believe paying below a certain threshold will deter talented people from joining. The question of course is what is the threshold? The jury is still out on that one.[/quote]I suppose the quantum of comfort is not based on how much they have made but how much is their expenditure. Perhaps someone like CSM has better financial management, he does not live extravagantly so to pursue his passion, he has lesser worries. This also speaks volumes of his character. When one makes alot and still frugal, it is a virtue. As for those who make obscene amounts like CSM from the corporate world and still expect the same in the political world due to maintenance of current living standards, then I am afraid they have problem empathising the problem of the commoner if their lifestyle is too far off. If they are heavily investing in properties and need the same kind of income to pay off the investments, then I think it is better they remain in the corporate business world to use money to make money instead of using politics to maintain the money. I see a conflict of interest.

[corneyAmber]

concern2:

Musings:

I don't disagree with your views or CSM's sincerity. I do think it is laudable for him to join politics on the opposition side no less and give up a lucrative career. There is no doubt he joined not for the money but with a desire to serve. But we should note that it is much easier for one to make this sort of decision when you already have millions in the bank account and not struggling to be financially secured.

Um...I don't know the last sentence there. It sounds the same as the argument of whether to start a business venture if you already have a job that pays well ( and hence have the financial backing) Or whether you should hang on to the job since it already pays well (why take the unnecessary risk). I think it boils down to a personal choice of which one is more important to him/her, which one will bring one more fulfillment, and like many has mentioned, \"a calling\". More more so because CMS has chosen to join the opposition, which runs him the risk of being sued, having his history/personal life dug up, being interrogated by reporters, and losing everything (like in the cases of those before him). Yes, he may have a better back up, but he didn't even have to consider joining in the first place, hence I don't think it is any easier decision to make on his part. Just my thoughts.

To me, joining the opposition is a difficult decision to make, whether you have money or not. Just talking about in extremes to illustrate - if you have nothing, what have you got to lose then?

Though it is true that if CSM is financially sound, he frees himself to pursue his passion, but pursuing this passion in politics is not one without the risk of being sued. His financial buffer would really be to help him if he makes any mistakes in politics, though I am confident that he would not with his rational talk unlike some past oppositions. I think this threat is non-existent in the MIW party and yet a big package is demanded.

[concern2]

Musings:

...they should not be 'penalised' too much for their desire to serve. It may not be easy to attract a talent like CSM if not for the fact that he is already well provided for and financial issues are less of a concern. So I do believe paying below a certain threshold will deter talented people from joining. The question of course is what is the threshold? The jury is still out on that one.

Interesting point. What is the threshold? It is difficult to pay according to one's willingness to serve because it is not like the more willing the redder the heart is, right? So naturally one is only being judged based on what one is capable of doing, and that is measured by one's salary. This also means the heart needs to measure up with the capability. On the other hand, we can see from the history, some of the most willing ones were not incapable, yet they were \"penalized\" in many ways, in one way or another. How many people bothered to give some thoughts to their 'negative threshold' - how far should you go in penalizing these people who were willing to come forward to serve, just because they have different political views? Ok, I must declare I don't have any insider's news, or whatever, but it is already in people's minds... the fear factor that certain actions resulted in the attitudes that people have about entering politics, and hence the perception that you should have \"sufficient financial backing\" in order to make a call like CSM.

I suppose some were \"spared\" simply because they were \"less threatening\" And here we are, talking about how much below certain threshold to prevent people from joining. Can I suggest abolish ISD first? Or ISA? Sorry, forgot the acronym for it that one...

[MMM]

ksi:

Though it is true that if CSM is financially sound, he frees himself to pursue his passion, but pursuing this passion in politics is not one without the risk of being sued. His financial buffer would really be to help him if he makes any mistakes in politics, though I am confident that he would not with his rational talk unlike some past oppositions. I think this threat is non-existent in the MIW party and yet a big package is demanded.

I recall that CSM's daughter seems rather young eg. below 10? So even if he has millions??? given the young age of his daughter and the risk of joining a opposition party, it's really not a easy decision. Also... to most man, millions are never enough. Man are by nature greedy. He could have stay in the comfort of the corporate world.

[Oppsgal]

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/president-of-singapore-has-world%E2%80%99s-coolest-job--kids%E2%80%99-poll.html


So smart kids are nowadays.

[daisyt]

Strparent:

limlim:

Plus, CSM is a living example that you do not need top dollar to attract Top talent.. it's the passion that matters.

limlim ,

paiseh, u juz give me another opportunity to hightlight again how impressive CSM is, compared to all the elitist candidates the garmen has been targetting and some of the existing deadwood :stupid:

Strparent, hi five!!! :grphug:
He indeed has charisma and charm! The CSM fan club ... Hahaha ...