PUBLISHED ONSeptember 08, 2026 5:35 AMUPDATED21 minutes agoBYSean LerMonthly allowances for Members of Parliaments (MPs) will rise from $13,750 to $18,500 from Oct 15.
The adjustment comes as Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced in Parliament on Tuesday (Sept 8) that the Government has accepted an independent committee's recommendations after it reviewed the political salary framework.
On the same date, adjustments to the salaries of the President, Speaker and Deputy Speaker will also take effect.
Meanwhile, the Government will raise benchmark salary for a minister at the MR4 grade — the lowest of four tiers — to $1.8 million.
The norm annual ministerial wage has remained at $1.1 million since 2011.
Singapore last adjusted the salaries of political office holders and parliamentarians in 2011.
Contextualising the rationale for the increment to MPs' allowances, PM Wong noted that Singaporeans rightly expect their political leaders to have high standards of integrity and conduct, competence, responsibility, and accountability to voters at the ballot box.
"We chose not to treat the MPs’ allowance as a token allowance. It is a substantial allowance, because MPs carry substantial responsibilities in Parliament and in their constituencies," he said.
By providing a proper allowance, both the People's Action Party and the Workers' Party have been able to recruit and field strong candidates.
This has resulted in Parliament having MPs with a wide range of backgrounds and experience, who, PM Wong said, have brought different perspectives to parliamentary debates.
"We may disagree strongly across the aisle, but the quality of debate is high, and Singapore is better for it."
He added that because political renewal is a continuous exercise — election after election — there must be enough of them prepared to step forward, contest in elections, and take responsibility for the Republic's future.
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