KUALA LUMPUR - It has taken just weeks for Malaysia's new leader Tun Mahathir Mohamad to clash with the country's influential royals, in an episode reminiscent of his first reign which lasted 22 years.

At issue is a deadlock over the choice of Attorney-General (A-G) - a powerful post with discretionary powers of prosecution. As the tussle enters its second week, it is Parti Keadilan Rakyat's (PKR) Prime Minister-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim who has established closer relations with the palaces.