Ong Keng Yong, a spokesman for Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, said in a letter to newspapers the pay rises were necessary to keep the best talents and maintain Singapore's squeaky-clean reputation for good government.

He said Singaporeans were too busy pursuing their own careers, feeling "no imperative to take charge of the nation's destiny".

"We should not only consider the financial cost of good government but, more importantly, the value which a good government creates," he said. "The consequences of a weak or bad government are enormous."

Several Singaporeans have used newspaper letter columns to criticise salary increases for top government officials announced early this month.

Under the new pay scheme, Mr Goh's annual salary will jump 14 per cent to S$1.94 million. Substantial salary increases were announced for government ministers.

One letter writer said ministers "should only take a pay rise after the general population's gross salary has risen beyond the pre-crisis level", referring to 1997's financial turmoil in Asia.

Two other critics wrote to newspapers saying Singapore officials are already among the highest paid in the world and suggested government service should be motivated by patriotism rather than money.

Mr Ong said government officials were taking on jobs with great personal sacrifice, often at the expense of their families.

"[The prime minister] is subject to constant public scrutiny. He must accept significant compromises to his personal and family life. He bears heavy responsibility for the lives of three million Singaporeans," Mr Ong said.

"Do we want ministers to hold regular jobs as lawyers, bankers or chief executives and run the country only on a part-time basis?" he asked.