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.