Malaysiakini compares the key news and views in major newspapers. What is today's agenda for the newspapers?

Front Page

English newspapers

New Straits Times led with news that the boycott of sale of sugar, flour and cooking oil by sundry shops is still on, with members of the Federation of Sundry Goods Merchants Associations bent against obtaining the new retail licence.  

The Star headlined that Malaysians will be able to use the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) for medical claims on treatment of 36 illnesses, compared to 13 previously.

Malay newspapers

Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian headlined that alleged terrorist movement Jemaah Islamiah had recruited at least 30 students from local higher learning institutions.

Utusan Malaysia also headlined a report saying that the National Higher Learning Fund (PTPTN) is hunting 100,000 student loan defaulters who owe a total of RM1.9 billion since 1997.

Sinar Harian front paged former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, who said that the high approval ratings for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak recently show that it is a good time to call for the 13th general election.  

Editorial

New Straits Times said that the decision to limit Public Service Department scholarships for overseas study in favour of local universities will keep the brightest students home and thus raise university standards, but only if universities also play their role.

Berita Harian lauded the government’s proposal to make Mandarin and Tamil languages compulsory subjects in national schools, as multilingualism is an asset in the global market and it can bridge the racial gap locally.  

Utusan Malaysia commented on yet another postponement of minimum wage for security guards, urging employers to hasten the pay rise, either through gradual installments or supplementary allowances.