HK chief among world’s highest-paid politicians

Published August 4, 2022
Hong Kong’s new leader John Lee speaks at a news conference in Hong Kong, China, June 19. — Reuters
Hong Kong’s new leader John Lee speaks at a news conference in Hong Kong, China, June 19. — Reuters

HONG KONG: Hong Kong’s new leader John Lee received a salary bump that would make him among the world’s highest-paid politicians, according to figures provided by his office on Wednesday, even as the financial hub’s economy undergoes a downturn.

The government announced this week that its economy has tipped into a technical recession, after being battered by the pandemic, mounting interest rates and weakened global trade. Despite the city’s dip in fortunes, the chief executive will still be comfortably compensated, according to figures provided by his office.

The former security chief, who assumed office in July, is paid $58,000 a month, and will receive an entertainment allowance of over $10,000 as well, his office said.

His salary is a step-up from that of his predecessor Carrie Lam, who used to earn around $54,000 a month.

This means Lee earns more than US President Joe Biden — whose annual salary is $400,000 — and is second only to Singaporean leader Lee Hsien Loong, who nets around $1.6 million a year.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2022

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.