Opposition leader Abdul Hadi Awang today accused the United States of protecting Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi over a nuclear black market scandal to prevent Islamists from taking power in upcoming elections.

Hadi, president of the Islamic party PAS which rules Kelantan and Terengganu, said a police report clearing a company owned by Abdullah's son of manufacturing centrifuge parts for Libya was a whitewash.

"I see a (cover-up) and there is sympathy from the US. The US foreign policy is to protect its interest and they will never allow the establishment of an Islamic government anywhere," Terengganu menteri besar told reporters in Kuala Terengganu.

"We see how the US wants to hand over power in Iraq but on condition that it is not to the Muslims. It's the same in Malaysia. The US is practicing double-standards in its global war against terror and in the issue of nuclear proliferation."

Company misled

Scomi Precision Engineering (Scope), owned by Abdullah's son Kamaluddin, has admitted making parts seized on a ship bound for Libya, where they were allegedly to be used for enriching uranium for its nuclear weapons programme.

But the company said it had been misled about the purpose and destination of the parts, and has been cleared of any wrongdoing by a Malaysian police investigation.

US President George W Bush last month linked the company with the nuclear black market run by Pakistan's disgraced scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan, who has admitted selling nuclear secrets, prompting Malaysia to lodge a protest.

But Abdul Hadi charged Bush was "not serious" in dealing with the issue because Kamaluddin and Malaysia-based Sri Lankan businessman BSA Tahir ( left ), identified by the US as a middleman, have not been detained.

"I see this as a political gimmick by Bush. He has to protect governments that symphathises with the US and until now the (ruling) Barisan Nasional is showing a positive stance in implementing US policies," he said.

Campaign issues

PAS, which wants to turn Malaysia into a theocratic state, presents the main challenge to Abdullah's secular and multi-racial coalition, which is a major ally of the US in its campaign against terrorism.

Abdul Hadi said PAS strongly opposed US or foreign intervention in Malaysian affairs, and indicated it would use this as one of the main campaign issues ahead of March 21 elections.

Despite Abdullah's pledges to fight graft after succeeding Dr Mahathir Mohamad who retired Oct 31, Abdul Hadi said the Scope case was a black mark and recent moves to haul a minister and a tycoon to court for corruption were merely election gimmicks.

"It is not proper for him to allow his son to be involved in such business. What was important for them was making money. This shows cronyism still exists in the BN although the PM has changed," he said.

"Previously we accused Mahathir and his sons (of cronyism) but now it's Abdullah and his son who's involved in such mega international business."

Abdullah late Thursday said his conscience was clear and accused PAS of resorting to "character assassination" in an attempt to embarrass him ahead of polls.

Women candidates

Abdul Hadi acknowledged the nuclear scandal was unlikely to taint Abdullah's image because the BN controlled the mainstream media and the rural population had no access to foreign news or publications.

But PAS will highlight the issue in its campaign to show corrupt government policies remain the same under the new premier, he said.

Abdul Hadi said PAS would field women candidates for the first time since 1978 and was confident of retaining the two states it controls and winning another.

But, he said, the BN would resort to buying votes.

"Money will be used extensively as a main weapon to ensure victory," he said. - AFP