Malaysian opposition leader dies

The leader of Malaysia's opposition Islamic fundamentalist party has died.

Fadzil Noor failed to regain consciousness following heart bypass surgery two weeks ago.

His death comes a day after the prime minister said he was resigning, before opting not to go after supporters begged him to stay.

Mr Fadzil, 65, underwent nearly five hours of bypass surgery June 10.

In May, he was hospitalised for five days after a bout of what officials of his Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party said was hypoglycemia, or abnormally low blood sugar levels.

His condition had reportedly stabilised earlier in the week, before he took a turn for the worse.

His body will be flown later today from Kuala Lumpur to his home town of Alor Setar for burial.

Mr Fadzil's death is a setback to the fundamentalists, who have been under pressure since September 11 when their pro-Taliban statements alienated many Malaysians and strengthened the standing of Mahathir Mohamad's party.

The ruling party is increasingly expected to call elections a year early in 2003 in a bid to reverse gains that the fundamentalists made in 1999.

A year ago, Mr Fadzil predicted that the fundamentalists would seize power in three more states at the next elections, which are not required until late 2004.