Sultan on course for standoff
One of the nation's traditional rulers, the Sultan of Kelantan, has criticised 'selfish politicians' in a thinly veiled public attack on the main government party in his state.
In an apparent reference to Parti Islam se-Malaysia (PAS), he said such politicians used Islam to justify their actions, but caused Muslim disunity. Sultan Ismail Petra's entry into partisan politics has put him in the camp of the junior partner in the Kelantan Government, Semangat 46.
It has given new substance to indications the Kelantan Government is heading for a standoff with the sultan, whose consent is required for political appointments and some administrative measures.
The state leader of PAS and Chief Minister, Nik Aziz Nik Mat, has sacked four Semangat 46 members of his Cabinet, but they say their appointments can be terminated only with the approval of the sultan, who has not yet found time to grant the government head an audience.
