Here are the salaries of 13 major world leaders

[CityFarmer]

Common sense to know that there is a disconnect between the pay scale and the common man on the street don't you think? I don't get it why VBs don't get it that the electorate that one serve cannot buy-in with your idea if there is such huge disconnect? Watch LKY documentary and you will see the biggest draw the old founders had with the common people is that they are in it TOGETHER. They have no escape plans. And make no mistake, the founders were not in it for the money. LKY was not exactly likeable by either the British, communists or UMNO.

I also wonder, why you don't get it, the common sense of paying market rate for talent. I am starting to think, that you "common sense" is more like Populism. A popular policy to please the mass (common men/women on the street), although non-practical.

Cannot buy-in? I am not so sure, there is always vocal minorities, otherwise PAP may already be voted down years ago.

Top talent in making money like TT Durai and many others even in "religious organsiations" may not be the top talent we seeking? That's why I replied to Yeokiwi that it is better to have integrity than talent up to a point of competence. You can have high pay for the Permanent secretary but not an inducement/ incentive for the elected policy makers. There is a big difference. I suspect a lot of what you guys are saying is swallowing whole what the rationale for the pegging system is without considering whetehr it makes sense in the big picture. Just like GRC started with a good idea. Just as public services corporatising to ensure high efficiency. And then it gets warped.

I am afraid that, we are looking at a big picture, rather than on looking at "cheap and good" in talent-seeking, a popular policy, yet impractical

So maybe Cory can guesstimate how much should US prez and China prez be paid? Maybe Jokowi should be paid $6m since Indo GDP is twice ours even when his people are scrapping by?

The pragmatic reality is this: you cannot be disconnected with your people, the grassroot, the electorate. Pay being viewed as an incentive is a major disconnect that will come back to bite. But you cannot pay too low such that the policy makers might be induced to take side-money like Teh Chean Wan. Indeed LKY is pragmatic... This was the catalyst that made him rethink about the human psyche. These are not my views... this are the essence of what LKY policy is. I don't agree with all of his policies, especially the social engineering ones, but his pragmatic approach makes sense.

I am thinking, may be this is what make Singapore outstanding, by doing differently.