Elderly Malaysian couple split over political differences

Yahya Ibrahim, 78, divorced Islamic religious teacher Che Hasnah Che Ahmad, 61, both from Kelantan state in the north east of the country at a Shariah court.

The wife alleged that her husband had accused her of deviating from Islam for not supporting his party.

Che Hasnah, who claims to be a staunch supporter of the ruling coalition of Barisan Nasional, said her husband was an ardent follower of the Islamic fundamental party PAS.

"Everytime he comes home, we would get into an argument. Before filing for divorce, he told me he no longer wants to live with me and would move to live with his children from his first marriage," Star online quoted Che Hasnah said.

She said Yahya had never questioned her support for Barisan until lately, when he travelled frequently to attend PAS talks.