Malaysiakini compares the key news and views in major newspapers. What is today's agenda for the English, Bahasa, Tamil and Chinese papers?

Front Page

English newspapers

Both the Star and New Straits Times led with Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's assertion that the government will not back down from the political challenges presented by Hindraf.

The Star also front-paged the release of three Hindraf leaders and that the 105 protesters are still detained for participating in Sunday rally.

The Sun reported yesterday's release of three Hindraf leaders charged under the Sedition Act.

Malay newspapers

Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian led with the deputy prime minister's dismissal of the Hindraf protest as a politically-motivated event.

Berita Harian also reported Malaysian Airline's record earnings of RM610 million net for the first nine months of the year.

Utusan Malaysia also led with the release of three Hindraf leaders and 136 protesters who will be charged.

Chinese newspapers

Sin Chew Daily also reported about the release of the three Hindraf by the Klang Sessions Court.

Nanyang Siang Pau highlighted that former Unico Bhd director Tan Kai Hee refused to apologise for his defamatory statement against the company's chairman Lim Guan Teik and advisor Ngan Ching Wen.

Oriental Daily reported Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak as saying that the government would not back down against Hindraf's rally.

Tamil newspapers

Tamil Nesan led with DPM Najib's vote of confidence on MIC president S Samy Vellu, calling the veteran community leader as a person who continues to fight for the community. The daily also reported on the court victory of the three key Hindraf leaders.

Makkal Osai had a clarification from the police that they had dispersed a gathered crowd at the Batu Caves temple on the request of the temple committee.

Editorial

The New Straits Times commented on the trial use of drug-substitution therapy for drug abuse rehabilitation, calling it "the lesser evil". It also called for a change in mindset towards these alternative methods.

The Sun urged the removal of local council and state government discretionary powers regarding land allocation and use.

Berita Harian slammed the Hindraf protest, urging police and the government to take stern action to prevent illegal demonstrations from becoming a national culture.

Utusan Malaysia called on Pakistanis to wait calmly for their elections scheduled for Jan 8 next year.

Nanyang Siang Pau said local universities should improve themselves to compete with their foreign counterparts.

Oriental Daily agreed that medical students should be exposed to the necessary requirements of their profession.

Sin Chew Daily said recent Merdeka Center's survey showed that Barisan Nasional needed more efforts to repeat their big win in 2004 general election.

Makkal Osai commented that juvenile prisoners should be allowed to pursue their education.

Tamil Nesan said that the Sunday rally would have concluded peacefully if the authorities had given Hindraf permission to submit their memorandum.