Malay rulers accept curbs

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter) - Malaysia's nine hereditary rulers agreed yesterday to government proposals to curb their rights, ending a dispute that had threatened to spark a constitutional crisis.

'It is a historic day for us and we are proud to have resolved the matter without outside interference,' the Deputy Prime Minister, Ghafar Baba, said after a meeting between the government and the sultans in the National Palace. The government had achieved its objective, he said.

Under a declaration signed by the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal and the Attorney-General, the rulers agreed to amendments passed by parliament on 19 January that called for the removal of their legal immunity and other privileges.