
AI-generated summary
The salary review is conducted every five years and was initially scheduled for 2023 but was deferred due to geopolitical uncertainty from the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. An eight-member committee was formed in January to conduct the review.
The entry-level ministerial salary benchmark will rise to S$1.8 million (US$1.4 million) from S$1.1 million, while the prime minister’s pay benchmark will increase from S$2.2 million to S$3.6 million, in line with recommendations made by an independent committee.
Wong said during a ministerial statement in parliament on Tuesday that he would donate the increase in his salary to “suitable good causes” but did not expect other political office holders to follow suit.
The review was conducted by an eight-member committee formed in January, after a deferment amid geopolitical uncertainty arising from the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. The review, which is held once every five years, was initially set for 2023.
Wong said the government had accepted the committee’s recommendations, but it did not intend to implement them all at once.
The recommendations will take effect on October 15, starting with a one-off increase of up to 9 per cent, depending on factors such as performance and past adjustments. Subsequent increases will be made based on individual performance and responsibilities.

With 81 days left before the nine-in-one general election, the Democratic Progressive Party announced the launch of a youth volunteer auxiliary election group with the theme "Lighting! Youth Come to Support". It plans to mobilize more than 150 young people to participate in more than 60 auxiliary election and campaign activities across Taiwan. It aims to combine the enthusiasm and ideals of young people, bring good national policies to the local level, and allow young people to grow through grassroots experience.

Beijing has recommended 16 Hong Kong civil servants for UN Junior Professional Officer positions this year, surpassing previous deployments, with Chief Executive John Lee stating the initiative broadens global perspective and strengthens Hong Kong's role as a bridge between China and the international community.

Lawyer Lin Zhiqun criticized Taipei Mayor Chiang Wanan on Facebook for being proficient in applying rules when it comes to his own interests. He questioned his real estate registration arrangements and hasty municipal decisions, such as the repeated installation and removal of smoking areas, the purchase of 7.44 million parasols, and the controversy over the mansion circle. He believed that if this Alis spirit is applied to municipal administration, Taipei Municipal Government will not be the status quo.

On the 8th, Kuomintang Yunlin County Magistrate candidate Zhang Jiajun announced the main campaign visual "WOW Yunlin is Better" and the theme song "Our Yunlin New Era". He also announced that Lin Chunsheng, one of the top ten model farmers in the country, will serve as the campaign director-general, and Chen Baiyin, the founder of Farm Huanghuang, will serve as the deputy director-general. He emphasized that future politics should change Yunlin with actions rather than abuse.

Four Chinese Coast Guard ships broke into the restricted waters of Kinmen at 9 o'clock. The Coast Guard activated its contingency mechanism and dispatched patrol boats to stop them and made broadcasts in Chinese and English to drive them away. All the ships left at around 11 o'clock. The Coast Guard emphasized that it would continue to implement the principle of no provocation and no retreat to safeguard national sovereignty.

In response to the central government's deletion of RMB 5.41 billion in subsidies for the construction of the three major rapid transit systems in New Taipei City, Kuomintang New Taipei City mayoral candidate Li Sichuan's campaign spokesperson Guo Yinlan questioned DPP candidate Su Qiaohui, who had been in hiding for three days and only sent campaign staff to come forward to cover up the central government's affairs, confirming the title of "party legislator" and calling on Su Qiaohui to face the needs of the citizens and personally protest to the central government to replenish funds.