Malaysiakini compares the key news and views in major newspapers. What is today's agenda for the English, Bahasa, Tamil and Chinese papers? Find out here.

Front page

English newspapers

The New Straits Times frontpaged a number of startling statistics, including the discovery that 106, 000 Malaysians had emigrated between 1996 and 2007. The daily also highlighted the defence argument in the Altantuya trial and the government's decision to cancel the recent hike in rice prices.

The Star 's headlines focused on the remand of the mother of the three-year-old girl whose remains were found two days ago. Another man was also arrested by police to help in investigations. Ooi Ying Ying was reported missing last Friday.

Malay newspapers

Utusan Malaysia headlined the Altantuya murder trial prosecution's argument that accused corporal Sirul Azhar Umar was not forced into confession. The legitimacy of Sirul's confession to ACP Mastor Mohd Ariff is currently being decided in a trial-within-trial procedure. The daily also headlined the government's decision to cancel rice price increases.

Berita Harian , in contrast, frontpaged the argument of the defense that the confession was induced. Kamarul Hashim Kamaruddin, defense lawyer for Sirul, claimed that Sirul was a "confused man" and confessed under duress. The newspaper also highlighted the cancellation of increases in rice price.

Chinese newspapers

Sin Chew Daily headlined with a report that three-year-old Ying Ying could be accidentally killed by her mother's boyfriend.

Nanyang Siang Pau headlined with the police solving of the child's murder case.

Oriental Daily News headlined with the stiff competition for oil pipeline project from Yan to Bachok among foreign investors.

Tamil newspapers

Malaysia Nanban led with the news about the government's instruction to Bernas to immediately halt its rice price hike. The daily also reported the killing of an Indian youth, aged 26, in Puchong, a suburb in Selangor, as a result of a small argument. Five others have been detained for questioning.

Makkal Osai also led with the rice price story. It also had a front page report on a young boy who was stamped to death by a temple elephant in Bangalore, South India. The boy had tried to feed banana to the elephant.

Tamil Nesan 's main news was on Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's remark that preventive law ISA would not be abolished. The premier said the law was still relevant and useful.

Editorial

The New Straits Times commented on the legitimacy of the 'new' seven wonders of the world, voted online by over 100 million people worldwide. The editorial commented on the World Wide Web's ability to last as long as the original seven wonders.

Berita Harian 's editorial chastised Beras Nasional Berhad (Bernas) for failing to consult the government before increasing rice price.

Nanyang Siang Pau commented of the decline of the standard of the Chinese language in the country.

Sin Chew Daily urged the public to be concerned about global warming.

Malaysia Nanban commented on the call by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to maintain cleanliness in the country. Abdullah had remarked that cities and popular tourist spots in the country were rubbish-strewn and dirty. The daily said people must change their mindset to keep their surroundings clean.

Tamil Nesan agreed that ISA was still needed in the country to maintain peace and order. However it added that the government must ensure that human rights are not breached while applying this Act.