Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Big pay cuts for Singapore ministers

Updated at 12:59 pm on 5 January 2012

Government leaders in Singapore are to have their pay cut by more than a third following criticism of the high salaries they receive.

The recommendation was made by a government-appointed panel set up after elections which saw the opposition make historic gains.

The prime minister's salary is to be slashed by 36% and the president's by 51%, the BBC reports.

The salary committee was set up after parliamentary elections last year in which the ruling party secured its lowest overall vote since 1965.

Local media are reporting the government intends to accept the recommendations.

Even with the 36% pay cut, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will still be one of the highest-paid political leaders in the world, earning $S2.2 million a year, while president Tony Tan will earn $S1.5 million.

Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand