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

Front Page

English newspapers

The New Straits Times today quoted on its front page Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein as saying that newly-promoted Immigration officers have one month to outline plans, reforms and improvements to the department to eradicate corruption among Immigration officers.

Star meanwhile went for a public survey, saying motorists had mixed opinions on the 50 percent rebate on traffic summonses within these two weeks.

Malay newspapers

Sinar Harian front-paged the anti-state government group Gagasan Anti-Penyelewengan Selangor (GAPS), which announced its plan to present a memorandum on 30 alleged acts of fraud by the Pakatan-led Selangor government to the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, tomorrow and to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Sunday.

Utusan Malaysia put the spotlight on health insurance for foreign workers, quoting the Malaysian Foreign Work Force Supply and Management Association (Tekam) as saying that insurance companies will only be profiteering from the government requirement that each of the two million foreign workers in Malaysia is given health insurance.

Berita Harian went with the same angle as its English sister paper New Straits Times , focussing on Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein’s one-month ultimatum to newly-promoted Immigration officers to come up with a comprehensive plan to weed out corruption in their department.

Chinese newspapers

Sin Chew Daily and Nanyang Siang Pau front-paged that state governments can now renew the period of leaseholds to not more than 99 years on leasehold land to applicants renewing their existing land lease before their expiry date.

China Press front-paged that a fake doctor who has been operating in the Klang Valley for the last two years was exposed when he was investigated for alleged sexual harassment of his nurse.

Oriental Daily News front-paged that the government has ordered an emergency stop to the traffic summons discount announced by traffic police earlier.

Editorial

The New Straits Times pointed out that the Malaysian Medical Association should do its work and monitor the quality of medical graduates instead of raising concerns of a “possible erosion of standards”. The country’s oldest newspaper said the government’s plan to churn out as many fresh graduates as possible is necessary to reach the 85,000 needed within the next 10 years.

Berita Harian defended Umno’s decision to postpone its party polls, saying that it is not uncommon for the party to do so. The paper’s editorial also said it was the “right move” as it will do more good for the party to focus on strengthening unity from within so it can continue to regain public support.

Utusan Malaysia urged the public to support inspector-general of police Ismail Omar’s efforts to “transform” the Royal Malaysian Police. The newspaper said it was confident the police force has the will to continuously improve on their preparedness to do their jobs with the aim of bringing down the crime rate and build on their quality and efficiency of service.

China Press urged the government to crack down on cigarette smuggling by taking action against its sellers and consumers.

Nanyang Siang Pau

regretted that a dispute has erupted in Hua Zong over a minor issue.

Sin Chew Daily warns that there should be a thorough consideration before the government implements the national health insurance policy.