FORMER PRESIDENTS (Financial and personnel support)

Dr Lee Tsao Yuan asked the Prime Minister whether former Presidents are entitled to some form of financial and personnel support from the Government in order to maintain the dignity and stature of their former office; and in particular, whether they receive (i) a pension; (ii) medical benefits; (iii) secretarial support; and (iv) a small office.

The Prime Minister (Mr Goh Chok Tong): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Constitution does not provide for former Presidents automatically to receive pension and medical benefits. However, the Civil List and Pension Act provide for any person who ceases to be President to be granted a pension for such amount and on such terms as Parliament may, by resolution, determine. In determining the terms for granting a pension to a former President, Parliament may also decide to accord him post-retirement medical benefits.

In the past, Parliament had passed a resolution granting a pension of $2,000 per month to the widow of the late Mr Yusof bin Ishak and $500 per annum jointly to his two children until the younger child attains the age of 21 years. As a pensioner, the widow is also receiving medical benefits.

Parliament had also passed a resolution granting Mr Devan Nair a pension of $5,000 per month on condition that he continued to receive, and abide by, such medical advice and treatment as may be prescribed for him by a panel of doctors. Mr Nair declined the pension.

No provisions for pension were made for the widow of Mr Benjamin Sheares, and for Mr Wee Kim Wee. The Prime Minister, however, had approved as a special case, medical benefits for Mr Wee and his wife.

Mr Ong Teng Cheong will not be receiving any pension as a former President. However, he is receiving pension as a former office-holding Member of Parliament. As for medical benefits, he will continue to be on the Medisave-cum-Subsidised Outpatient (MSO) Scheme.

Former Presidents are not provided with secretarial support or an office as they cease to perform any official function when they step down.

Dr Lee Tsao Yuan: May I ask the Prime Minister whether it is possible now for Parliament to approve a pension for the former President, Mr Wee?

Mr Goh Chok Tong: Mr Speaker, Sir, when we decided on not giving pension to former Presidents, it was with a view of not putting unnecessary pressure on the budget or strain on taxpayers. We normally look for somebody who has retired or is about to retire to become the President, and normally, such person would have some savings of his own. And as the President, the pay would not be insubstantial. So we decided not to have pension for former Presidents. This would also apply to Mr Wee.

Dr Lee Tsao Yuan: Would the Prime Minister consider to err on the generous side because I think former Presidents are under some obligation to maintain the dignity and stature of the office.

Mr Goh Chok Tong: Mr Speaker, Sir, as I explained, the pay of a President is not insubstantial and the dignity of a former President does not depend on his financial wealth. It depends very much on how the former President carries himself.