Singapore may face a diminishing pool of capable political leaders if the personal costs associated with public service continue to rise, Trade and Industry Minister Tan See Leng warned during a parliamentary debate on political salaries. Tan highlighted the considerable sacrifices involved in public service, such as longer work hours, increased responsibilities, constant public scrutiny, and diminished privacy. He noted that for professionals contemplating a shift from the private sector to politics, it often means leaving behind promising careers at their peak.
Citing examples like Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and former Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, Tan illustrated the financial sacrifices these leaders made by transitioning from established medical careers to political roles. He asserted that their ministerial incomes could not compete with the financial prospects they relinquished. Tan emphasized that Singapore stands to gain significantly from the expertise of seasoned professionals entering politics in their prime, such as entrepreneurs, finance experts, and mid-career executives with family responsibilities. However, these individuals must consider the potential loss of time, career opportunities, personal aspirations, privacy, and income.
Tan cautioned that if the personal costs of public service become exorbitant, Singapore risks losing talented leaders. This loss would not stem from a lack of willingness to serve but from the prohibitive overall cost of engaging in public service. Tan, who joined politics at 55 after more than 30 years in the private sector, shared how his career in healthcare, including roles as group CEO and managing director of Parkway Pantai, provided him with financial stability and independence when making the transition to government in 2020.
Reflecting on his journey, Tan acknowledged that no plausible ministerial salary could have equaled his previous earnings in the private sector. His experience underscores the challenges potential leaders face when considering a move to public service, where the financial rewards may not align with those of their previous careers. By drawing attention to these issues, Tan hopes to spark a conversation about how Singapore can continue to attract talented individuals to its political arena, ensuring that personal costs do not deter potential leaders from serving the nation.