HEADLINES National Registration Department director-general Alwi Ibrahim has denied that the department has been issuing citizenship to foreigners to help BN win the general election.

Speaking to the New Straits Times , Alwi said that such claims by the opposition were "nonsensical", and that 95 percent of the citizenships issued are for non-Muslims.

"These people are registered all over the country, and not in just Hulu Selangor, Kelantan or other ‘hot areas.' We are the issuers of MyKad and birth certificates and the (Home Ministry) approves it.

"Who they vote for is not for anyone but the MyKad holder to decide," he told the English daily, which reported the news on its inside pages.

The following are the key news and views in major newspapers today.

Front Page

English newspapers

New Straits Times front-paged that the government is looking at different ways to keep fuel at the same price, instead of cutting subsidies as this could burden the rakyat.

Star headlined that Internet thieves are using decoy webpages to rip off bank customers.

Malay newspapers

Berita Harian

focused on news that the Negri Sembilan Football Association lodged a police report pertaining to game-fixing for the state's President's Cup and Super League.

Utusan Malaysia matched New Straits Times in reporting that the government is looking for ways to maintain fuel prices.

Sinar Harian led with news that Kelantan Menteri Besar and PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat has endorsed two Kelantan exco members, Husam Musa and Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah, for vice-presidents post in the party polls next weekend.

Chinese newspapers

Sin Chew Daily also dedicated its front page to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's statement from Tokyo on alternative options to limit the fuel price hike.

Oriental Daily News highlighted the concerns of Chinese guilds and associations over the decision of MCA not to join the cabinet should it fail to obtain better results in the next general election.

Nanyang Siang Pau led with the implementation of the Malaysia Business Licensing System (MBLS) by June 2013, which will allow online applications for 144 licences and permits of more than 100 government agencies.

Editorial

New Straits Times said the campaign against obesity should not focus on scare tactics, but rather promote alternative lifestyles for healthier living.

Berita Harian said the decision not to cut fuel subsidies on Wednesday had nothing to do with opposition pressure or the general election, but because the government is concerned for the rakyat's well-being.

Sin Chew Daily commented that the government should have a long-term plan to assist the hardcore poor.

Nanyang Siang Pau called on all quarters to address the rise in female smokers.