Mr Speaker: Order. I wish to inform hon. Members that I have on 16 January 2012 received a Message from the President addressed to Members of Parliament. Pursuant to Standing Order 16(1), I will read the Message to hon. Members:

"Please refer to the White Paper titled 'Salaries for a Capable and Committed Government' that has been presented to Parliament as Paper Cmd. 1 of 2012. As you know, I will adopt the President's salary as recommended by the Ministerial Salaries Review Committee backdated to 1 September 2011, the report of which is now part of that White Paper. I invite Parliament to consider passing a resolution to reduce the Civil List in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee."

I have also received a letter dated 15 January 2012 from former President S.R. Nathan addressed to the Prime Minister indicating his agreement in May 2011 to accept the recommendations of the Ministerial Salaries Review Committee on the President's salary. The letter also confirms his agreement to adopt the revised salary for the President, as contained in Paper Cmd. 1, from 21 May 2011 to 31 August 2011.

At this point, I also wish to inform hon. Members that I accept the recommendations on the Speaker's salary as contained in the White Paper on "Salaries for a Capable and Committed Government" presented to Parliament as Paper Cmd. 1 of 2012 and any subsequent resolutions necessary to effect the adjustments to my salary.

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I am also to inform hon. Members that I have on 16 January 2012 received separate messages from Deputy Speaker Charles Chong and Deputy Speaker Seah Kian Peng. Both Deputy Speakers have indicated their acceptance of the recommendations on the Deputy Speaker's salary as contained in Paper Cmd. 1 of 2012 and to any subsequent resolutions that Parliament may make to effect the recommendations.

Lastly and in this regard, hon. Members may wish to know that former Speaker Abdullah Tarmugi, and former Deputy Speakers Matthias Yao and Ms Indranee Rajah have indicated their acceptance of the recommendations on their salaries contained in Paper Cmd. 1 of 2012 and have agreed to adopt the revised salaries for their respective offices from 21 May 2011 to 9 October 2011.

Order. Questions for Oral Answer. Dr Intan Mokhtar.

Oral Answers to Questions