An opposition leader has levelled a barrage of criticism against Umno, a major accusation being it is calling all the shots and making its Barisan National allies politically impotent.

DAP national labour bureau chief A Sivanesan told Malaysiakini today that claims of BN partners jointly solving issues and problems on a consensual basis is just empty talk as the final say in all matters is in Umno's hands.

He charged that BN component parties like MCA, MIC and Gerakan are merely political rubber-stamps, endorsing Umno's proposals.

m moorthy 301205 a sivanesan "Umno holds the real political power in the country and controls revenue-based matters in ministries like Human Resources, Transport and Health," Sivanesan ( left ) said.

The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and the recruitment of foreign workers which are supposed to be under the ambit of the Human Resources Ministry are now under the Finance and Foreign Ministries respectively.

Whither 1Malaysia?

Plus (the North South Highway concessionaires) does not come under the Transport Ministry which is in charge of roads but under the Works Ministry.

According to Sivanesan, Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat had recently wanted to employ Chinese staff to reflect the racial composition of his ministry but his request was shot down by the Public Service Commission.

Also, the power of reconstruction work of the various ministries is vested in the Public Service Department which comes under the Prime Minister's Department and the ministers concerned have no say in this matter.

"Umno practices double standards by taking the flesh and throwing the bones to its component parties and treating them as mere `office boys'," alleged the DAP leader who is also party state vice chairperson.

He said the real political power sharing among Umno, MIC and MCA was during the period just after independence from the British when MCA held the important ministerial post of finance.

However, now the political power sharing equation has been turned in Umno's favour as former premier Mahathir Mohammad had gerrymandered that constituencies to ensure that they are predominantly Malay and any with a Chinese or Indian majority, is history now.

So, the component parties have to be in Umno's good books to assure victory for their candidates during elections , he added.