Carrie Lam rejects bipartisan calls to turn down pay rise amid Hong Kong’s coronavirus-fuelled financial downturn
- The city’s chief executive, who now earns HK$5.21 million annually, is among the highest-paid political leaders in the world
- Angry lawmakers from both the pro-establishment and opposition camps point to countries such as Singapore, where ministers have taken pay cuts
Hong Kong’s embattled leader has dismissed calls from across the political spectrum to take a voluntary pay freeze, after it was revealed her annual salary had increased to HK$5.21 million (US$672,000).
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s 2.36 per cent pay rise, up from HK$5.09 million in the 2019/20 financial year, means she continues to be one of the highest-paid political leaders in the world.
In a media briefing on Tuesday morning, Lam was asked if she would heed lawmaker demands to turn down the increase.
“My first priority right now is to finalise as early as possible the package of relief measures under the second round of anti-epidemic funding,” she said.
The chief executive also pointed out that she and the city’s other politically appointed officials had recently donated one month’s pay to the Community Chest of Hong Kong for charity purposes, adding she would consider similar ways in future “to demonstrate solidarity with the people of Hong Kong”.
The Legislative Council has been scrutinising the government budget, unveiled in February, ahead of an expected final vote in early May.
According to the public spending blueprint for 2020/21, Lam’s annual salary increased by HK$120,000, an increase the city leader clarified had taken effect in July, raising her salary to HK$434,000 a month.
