[9.3] HAL support gone after upgrade to 3.5.3

Hi, I've upgraded an 9.3 system with the additional KDE repositories from SUSE. Everything works fine, except hotplugging devices like USB sticks. It seems that HAL support is gone. In KControlCenter it is even grayed out. Someone any idea what is going one? How can I get HAL support in KDE working again? Regards Harry