Breaking News - as per Straits Time

Adapted from the most unbiased national daillies... Have to definitely post this because it matters so much to us, especially if you have the chance to choose.

PARLIAMENT on Thursday approved the allocation of an additional $1.25 million to the Civil List, which specifies the salaries of the President, his personal staff, and expenditure.

The amount set aside for the President's salary is $4,267,500, up from $3,376,800. The entertainment allowance remains at $73,000. The amount for staff salaries increases by $471,600 to $4,532,400.

Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said these increases were to cater for an additional staff officer to support the work of the Council of Presidential Advisers, a butler manager to meet the increased demand for butler services at the Istana, and to meet higher variable payments on account of strong economic growth.

The President's salary rises in tandem with that of political, judicial and civil service appointment holders. Meanwhile, the sum for Istana expenses was cut by $25,300 to $2,068,300. The total sum allocated for the Civil List is $11.6 million.

For the next financial year, Mr Tharman said this overall sum will remain unchanged, but the allocation for the President's salary and allowances will drop to $3,782,000 due to lower variable payments anticipated. An extra $610,000 will be set aside for the Presidential Swearing-in Ceremony which is likely to be in late August.

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