Take Singapore for example, by paying top salaries to leaders and ministers, we were able to attract the best and brightest to public service and reducing the temptation to engage in graft. Done properly, such initiatives can make government more efficient and economies more vibrant. as we can see from Transparency International ranking Singapore among the world's top five least-corrupt governments since 2001 and even best governed according to Worldwide Governance Indicators.

With that being said, is money really such a strong motivating factor in the world of politics? Can there be something else like perhaps, the passion for building a better country for everyone? Politicians all aim to build a more well governed country where most of the citizens needs are met and where everyone is ultimately happy. So without money, they are simply just humanitarians.
Surely the power of politicians is something many would love to have- to be able to have an influence over others and to govern people according to ways they deem best. But with that also brings about massive responsibilities. So is money really all that is to hold politicians back from falling into corruption? Can politicians adopt the humanitarian mindset, that selfless quest to build a better government and country without money at the back of their heads?

Anyway,if we really think about it, isn't paying a large amount
to our Ministers in order to 'avoid corruption' also tantamount to 'bribery' and 'corruption'?

Eh Happy birthday Man!

Slush funds- Grants or anything similar that does not have a designated purpose, and which are most of the time, illegal.

In this context- slush funds refer to money used by some bureaucrats in Japan for personal gains and enjoyment like limousines, louche excursions, and golf-club memberships.

Cronies- Close friends or companions.

In the context of these question, it could mean close associates of the state owned banks in China who are both closely involved in the corruption act.