Covid-19: President, ministers and other political office holders to take one-month pay cut

SINGAPORE — All ministers and other political office holders will take a one-month pay cut to show solidarity with Singaporeans amid the Covid-19 crisis, said Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat on Friday (Feb 28).

Speaking during his wrap-up of the Budget debate, he added that President Halimah Yacob has also volunteered to take a one-month pay cut. 

All Members of Parliament (MP) will have their allowance cut by one month as well, while some senior public service officers will take a half-month pay cut.

The Public Service Division, in a statement on Friday, said that these officers include permanent secretaries, deputy secretaries and chief executives of statutory boards.

Mr Heng, who is also Finance Minister, said that Singapore will win the war over the virus as one united people.

“Our citizens and institutions all play a part: Enterprises and senior managements standing with unions and our workers, landlords supporting tenants, neighbours looking out for one another, political leaders working hand in hand with the public service and the people, to do everything that will help us see this problem through together,” he said.

“Singapore has been able to respond strongly and effectively to Covid-19 because there is strong trust between the people and the Government, and the sense that we are all in this together.”

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a Facebook post on Friday that cases in Singapore are currently under control, but the virus is spreading in many countries.

"So we must remain on high alert. Whatever happens, let us stay united, and prevail as One Singapore," he said.