Who are the 10 best paid politicians in the world?

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Thursday, 02 April 2009

Singapore Democrats

Our ministers, of course! But The Times' ran a report today that was wildly off mark as it named the leaders of the world as the ten highest paid politicians in the world (see blow).

Our cabinet ministers easily surpass any of them. And guess what? We are the worst performing economy in Asia since the crisis started. You know what else? Of those listed below, we're the only ones who cannot change our leaders (except for perhaps Hong Kong).

The Time's Top Ten Political Leaders in the World:

1. Lee Hsien Loong (Singapore)
Salary in dollars - $2.47 million
Salary in local currency - S$3.76 million

2. Donald Tsang Yum-Kuen (Hong Kong)
Salary in dollars - $516,000
Salary in local currency - HK$4 million

3. Barack Obama (United States)
Salary in dollars - $400,000

4. Brian Cowen (Ireland)
Salary in dollars - $341,000
Salary in local currency - €257,000

5. Nicolas Sarkozy (France)
Salary in dollars - $318,000
Salary in local currency - €240,000

6. Angela Merkel (Germany)
Salary in dollars - $303,000
Salary in local currency - €228,000

7. Gordon Brown (UK)
Salary in dollars - $279,000
Salary in local currency - £194,250

8. Stephen Harper (Canada)
Salary in dollars - $246,000
Salary in local currency - C$311,000

9. Taro Aso (Japan)
Salary in dollars - $243,000
Salary in local currency - Y24 million

10. Kevin Rudd (Australia)
Salary in dollars - $229,000
Salary in local currency - A$330,000

http://www.promotionalcodes.org.uk/26911/the-world%E2%80%99s-10-highest-paid-politicians/

If you re-calibrated the salaries according to population size (amount per capita), the result looks even worse. Mr Lee Hsien Loong still comes out on top of course. But what's particularly rankling is the gap between him and the next highest paid leader. Take a look at the differences in per head of population:

1. Lee Hsien Loong - Singapore
Salary: $US2.47 million
Per head of population: 54c

2. Brian Cowen - Ireland
Salary: $US341,000
Per head of population: 9c

3. Donald Tsang Yum-Kuen - Hong Kong
Salary: $US516,000
Per head of population: 7c

4. Kevin Rudd - Australia
Salary: $US229,000
Per head of population: 1c

5. Stephen Harper - Canada
Salary: $US246,000
Per head of population: 0.7c

6. Nicolas Sarkozy - France
Salary: $US318,000
Per head of population: 0.5c

7. Gordon Brown - UK
Salary: $US279,000
Per head of population: 0.5c

8. Angela Merkel - Germany
Salary: $US303,000
Per head of population: 0.4c

9. Taro Aso - Japan
Salary: $US243,000
Per head of population: 0.2c

10. Barack Obama - United States
Salary: $US400,000
Per head of population: 0.1c

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/business/story/0,28124,25278168-5018055,00.html

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Comments (6)

Fri 03 Apr 2009 2:39 PM | G_Chen

Well, such kind of salary is plain obscene. But to me, what is even more baffling and unthinkable, is how a nation whose government whenever being question about the prospect of economic recovery, would qualify it with the recovery of US economy or the success of Obama's administration economic rescue plans, or that of other nation's economic policies, would find themselves deserving to be paid more than the leaders of these nations whom they so readily relied upon.

Fri 03 Apr 2009 7:36 PM | tewniaseng

Can he bring the money to the grave ? So why Singaporeans still keep quiet ? Is he money face ? without money he can't perform is it ? Obama should get $3.67 million because he controls the world economy,Spore depends on US recovery, Spore ministers can't control the economy, so why pay them so much because they can't plan but can talk only. like this any one can also become PM.Dr Chee can be the PM,WP Low can be the PM.Just sit and wait for recovery, who don't know ?? Another thing, Spore is just a tiny state, why need to have MM, SM (2), it is a waste of money,or perhaps the PM is incompetent, so he needs MM, SM to guide him !!Nia mah!!

Fri 03 Apr 2009 7:53 PM | Ricky Padrino

Wow it's mind boggling! You total up USA, France, Germany, UK, Canada, Japan and Australia and it's only $2.018 million. Take this off from Singapore's $2.47 million, and you still have $452,000 left over!

Due to the current financial crisis, I hope voters in Ang Mo Kio, Tg Pagar and Marine Parade GRCs can help shave off at least $10 million a year of taxpayers' money in the upcoming election!

Fri 03 Apr 2009 8:49 PM | dumbo

the lees, one of the richest family in the world, do not need the extra millions in salary, but then they need to pay their side kicks millions to buy their loyalty and silence. (ceo of capitaland paid 20m, any guess on how much madam is paid?)

Sat 04 Apr 2009 9:28 AM | rogtls - Roger

We, Singaporeans have been cheated all this while while the majority just don't bother. This is one reason why I have the greatest respect for Dr Chee and the late JB Jeyaratnam for their undying sacrifices to fight the authoritarian govt to right all wrongs! Thank you. You are always in my prayer.