Version:           KDE passwd: 4.1.2 (KDE 4.1.2)  (using KDE 4.1.2)
OS:                Linux
Installed from:    Mandrake RPMs

After entering the original password and being prompted for and entering the new one twice, kdepasswd recognises that the passwords match and gives an indication of the relative strength.  Trying to save the new password by clicking on ok generates the following error:
Your password has not been changed.
"BAD PASSWORD: it is WAY too short "
This happens consistently with any length password from 'jonny' to 'Mandriva2009'

Using passwd directly in a terminal does not give any error.