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 front-paged a report that a school-based assessment system may be introduced if the proposal to scrap the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) is accepted.

The Star focused on sand, worth millions of ringgit, being illegally ‘floated’ out of the country daily via Sungai Johor for the past three years.

Malay newspapers

Utusan Malaysia

headlined about the leeway given to new students joining universities and polytechnics, as Higher Education Minister Khaled Nordin has permitted poor students to pay the fees later than the given date.

Berita Harian lauded the government’s effort in introducing two new halal certifications, Halal Cosmetic Standard MS2200:2008 and Halal Logistic Standard MS2400:2010.

Sinar Harian front-paged the current and former Perlis muftis, Juanda Jaya and Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, blasting the government over claims of links between local religious figures and terror network Jemaah Islamiah.

Chinese newspapers

Sin Chew Daily front-paged the Home Ministry’s plan to introduce Internet passport applications once Internet security is guaranteed.

Oriental Daily headlined the Education Ministry’s proposal to abolish UPSR and PMR in order to relieve examination pressure and step up the creativity of students.

China Press front-paged a 33-year-old man in Kuala Lumpur who committed suicide after losing heavily in illegal football betting.

Nanyang Siang Pau

front-paged the signing of the QDII treaty between Malaysia and China, facilitating Chinese investment to follow in.

Tamil newspapers

All three Tamil newspapers (Tamil Nesan, Makkal Osai and Malaysia Nanban) led with the World Classical Tamil Conference that is being held in Kovai, Tamil Nadu.

Editorial

New Straits Times discussed about the proposal by the Law Reform Committee to amend the Statutory Declaration Act 1960.

Berita Harian suggested that the government should come up with the best alternative to replace Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR), if the proposal to scrap the examinations is accepted.

Utusan Malaysia suggested the country’s education system should be looked at as a whole.

China Press expressed shock over the incident where a nine-year-old girl in Penang gave birth to a baby last month, and urged parents and schools to provide the necessary sex education.

Sin Chew Daily commented that Malaysia is now at a difficult point in the transformation of society.

Tamil Nesan wants Malaysia-Singapore bilateral relations to be strengthened further, while Malaysia Nanban wants the authorities to curb the flow of black money’.