Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi chairs 24 cabinet task forces and committees in addition to holding three ministerial portfolios - a revelation that has raised eyebrows in the Dewan Rakyat.

This was disclosed today in a parliamentary written reply by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz to Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah).

Among the committees [ see chart] are the national economic action council, national information technology council, national physical planning council, cabinet committee on road safety and cabinet committee on gender equality.

"The majority of these... have held meetings about once a year, although some... need to meet more frequently," Mohd Nazri stated in the reply.

Those that meet more often include the national economic action council, cabinet committee to enhance government administration and the national small- and medium-scale industries development council.

Unprofessional management

Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timor) said it is "humanly impossible" for the premier to head and supervise so many committees at the same time.

He pointed out that apart from these committees, Abdullah also heads the Prime Minister's Department and the internal security and finance ministries.

"This is an unsatisfactory and unprofessional way of doing things... such multiplicity of responsibilities must end," he told malaysiakini when asked to comment.

"If things only move when the prime minister lends his name, it is definitely not a recipe for efficiency."

Lim called for "rationalisation" of the prime minister's duties and urged Abdullah to delegate his powers to his deputy or other ministers.

Abdullah took over the reins of government in November 2003. At the time, he was deputy prime minister and home minister.