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

Front Page

English newspapers

The News Straits Times highlighted a Death Row prisoner's predicament. Baha Jambol, 45, has filed an application to the Court of Appeal to be freed on the grounds that a written judgment was not given in his case although it has been almost 10 months now.

The Star led with Inland Revenue Board CEO Hasmah Abdullah's assurance that the board will settle all refunds to taxpayers by the end of this year, including those outstanding from previous years.

Malay newspapers

Berita Harian front-paged ACA's decision to probe Air Kelantan Sdn Bhd. It was reported that company has misused RM600 million in an infrastructure upgrading project.

Utusan Malaysia reported that Malay politicians have urged the government not to heed MCA's call for open tenders in granting government projects as this is against the New Economic Policy.

Chinese newspapers

Sin Chew Daily reported that the Inland Revenue Board was facing problems in paying refunds to taxpayers.

Oriental Daily News reported the rebound in performance in most of the Asian share markets yesterday.

Nanyang Siang Pau headlined a Cabinet order not to imprison those convicted on committing small offences.

Tamil newspapers

Malaysia Nanban reported that some Maika shareholders have submitted a memorandum to Companies Commission of Malaysia urging the commission to defer the date of Maika Holdings Bhd's annual general meeting.

Makkal Osai reported Penang Consumers Association president R Arunachalam's description of Indians who bought Maika shares as 'foolish'.

Editorial

The New Straits Times questioned the proposal to sink ships near Pulau Redang and Pulau Perhentian. The daily feels that the project, which was estimated to be RM20 million is not worth the risk, effort and cost.

Berita Harian wanted all Malaysians to make patriotism as their main agenda to move towards the era of globalisation.

Utusan Malaysia urged private companies owned by the Chinese to heed Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's call not to discriminate Malays and Indians by employing only those with Mandarin proficiency.

Sin Chew Daily commented the Chinese and bumiputera must be sincere and genuine in joint business ventures.

Nanyang Siang Pau commend the promotion of joint-venture business of all races in the country by the government.

Oriental Daily News urged the government to implement the true economy sharing concept, rather than empty promises.

Malaysia Nanban urged all politicians to be like Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who assured that his policies will always be fair and equitable to all communities.

Makkal Osai believed that freedom of expression still exists in Malaysia following the open debates on various issues in the recent MCA annual general meeting.