Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Azalina Othman Said makes a fine sergeant-at-arms, as she has the muscle and bark to protect Najib Abdul Razak. She defended him against the opposition MP Ngeh Koo Ham, who had been critical of Najib’s bloated cabinet. If the truth be told, Najib needs to triple the workforce, and increase the number of ministers, deputy ministers and civil servants.

Ngeh should have reflected on Malaysian public life before commenting on the size of Najib’s retinue. The number of people in the civil service and cabinet is clearly insufficient, after one factors in absenteeism and ‘hari ponteng’, sickness, going for ‘sarapan’, extended coffee and tea-breaks, power lunches, study trips, and meetings.