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 the story of 41,000 people in Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, who have been moved to shelters in the wake of worsening flood conditions that had already claimed four casualties. It also carries a picture of Election Commission workers preparing for today's by-elections.

Star gave prominence to the last-minute push in the Galas and Batu Sapi by-elections as campaign ends at midnight and polling starts today. It also reported that buyers for third houses or more will have to fork out additional 20 percent to the existing 10 percent downpayment required for the purchase of a house, a move by Bank Negara in its efforts to curb property speculation.

Malay newspapers

Utusan Malaysia led with the present flood situation being the worst since that of December 2005. It also carried the comments of all candidates contesting in the Batu Sapi and Galas by-elections. The daily also carried a report labelling as corruption Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat handing out alms to three newly-converted Orang Asli.

Berita Harian also highlighted stories of the Kedah and Perlis floods which took the lives of three people and displaced 41,000 people housed in refugee shelters.

Sinar Harian headlined Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim's intention to continue with his two suits against the chairperson of Gerakan Rakyat Anti Korupsi (Gerak) Mohd Nazree Mohd Yunus.

This was despite Nazree claiming he was willing to reveal who was behind him in prompting a report he made to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission. It also speculated on the next Galas assemblyperson.

Editorial

New Straits Times commented on Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s visit to Malaysia where she tried to drum up support for the setting-up of a processing centre for asylum seekers in Timor Leste.

Utusan Malaysia reminded the people to follow the instructions of security personnel during the flood season to avoid untoward incidents.

Berita Harian says the United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's comments on Malaysia could help change the perspective of the world's population regarding Islamic countries.