Malaysia's parties calm internal row

Malaysia's parties calm internal row

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Political tremors in Malaysia' Kelantan
state between the ruling fundamentalist Parti Islam (PAS) and its
moderate ally Semangat 46 have been soothed -- at least for now,
officials said yesterday.

"We have already eased the strained relationship ... so far so
good," Semangat 46's information chief Ahmad Shabery Chik said
after a fence-mending meeting between the two parties on Monday
following weeks of tension.

The often stormy alliance in Malaysia's sole opposition state,
where the two parties have clashed over religious rulings, was
strained to breaking point last week after Semangat repeatedly
complained it was not consulted on state government decisions.

Most recently, Semangat said it had not been consulted when
PAS leaders banned carnival staples such as roller coasters and
segregated male and female shoppers in the name of religion.