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 the bitter attack by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak on Pakatan Rakyat's 100-day reform pledge. He claimed the country would go bankrupt like Greece if the plan is implemented.

Star led with exclusive news that some 100 people had exposed corrupt practice by their friends and colleagues since the Whistleblower Act came into effect on Dec 15 last year.

Malay newspapers

Berita Harian

led with Najib’s comments that Pakatan's 100-day reform pledge is populist and irresponsible.

Sinar Harian front-paged a report that PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has been asked to explain to Pakatan leaders about his alleged "unity government" meeting with Najib on Christmas Eve.

Utusan Malaysia focused on an interview with Abdullah Hussain, author of ‘Interlok’, who shed tears over the burning of his novel by a group of Indians.

Chinese newspapers

China Press highlighted the plight of some families in Johor arising from addiction to gambling in two newly-opened Singapore casinos. Some parents have even gambled away the school fees of their children.

Nanyang Siang Pau highlighted a decision by Domestic Trade, Cooperative And Consumerism Ministry to allow restaurants to apply for a licence to supply cooking oil, sugar and flour. This would enable them to buy essential goods at the distributors’ price to overcome the higher cost of food and beverages.

Oriental Daily News front-paged the formation of the Malaysia Chinese Education Council by the Education Ministry and Chinese education NGOs, to improve the syllabus of Chinese-language subjects and courses.

Sin Chew Daily reported that Puspakom, the computerised vehicle test centre, will cooperate with Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to fight corruption in the company.

Editorial

Utusan Malaysia berated Pakatan for holding out empty promises by offering reform within 100 days of forming the federal government. It described this as a trap to hookwink the people into voting for the opposition coalition.

Berita Harian welcomed the government's initiative to develop the first Racial Harmony Index to help measure the level of racial integration.

New Straits Times discussed the case of an Irish tourist who was mauled to death by two dogs in Penang, suggesting that owners of killer dogs should be penalised commensurate with the offence.

Sin Chew Daily

warned that the inflow of hot money and foreign investment has placed the Malaysia economy in a worrying situation, and that both the authorities and investors should be more careful.

Nanyang Siang Pau called on the government to improve implementation of projects under the Economic Transformation Programme, so that the targets are realised and competitiveness is improved.

China Press opined that restaurants would have no reason to increase food and beverage prices following the decision to allow them to purchase essential goods at the distributors’ price.