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

Front Page

English newspapers

The Sun led with a report of opposition member of Parliament Karpal Singh naming Hashim Yusoff as the Federal Court judge who is said to have been promoted despite not having written more than 30 judgments.

The paper also front-paged the disclosure of federal traffic police chief Hamza Taib that 293 bus firms have yet to settle 70,000 summonses. The Sun said it is believed the summonses run into more than RM10 million.

The Star led with a report of a multi-billion ringgit boost to the Iskandar Development Region (IDR) from Middle East investors. While the initial investment is said to be RM3 billion, construction costs to develop 809 - 1,011 hectares is estimated to cost about RM30 billion.

Together with New Straits Times , the Star also front-paged a report on the government's plan to turn the universities in Malaysia into elite institutions of higher learning through a three-pronged strategy of strict student and staff admissions, greater autonomy for funding and R&D, and the setting up of an independent audit panel to assess standards.

The New Straits Times also led with the headlines of the failure of bus firms to settle 70,000 summonses. It estimated the fines to total RM20 million.

Bahasa newspapers

In addition to the news of bus companies owing RM20million in fines, Berita Harian also led with a report on the greater autonomy given to universities in order to reform and revive higher education.

It also reported on the introduction by oil firms Petronas, ExxonMobil and Shell of a Malaysian version of the Nobel Peace Prize with the launch of the Anugerah Merdeka (Merdeka Award), which comes with a RM300,000 cash award.

Utusan Malaysia reported on the 'transformation' of institutions of higher learning and the failure of bus firms to settle 70,000 summonses. It also headlined the death of toddler Mohd Naim Almazadi, who is believed to have been abused by a domestic helper.

In a separate story on the Utusan Malaysia frontpage, a couple was charged in court for the death of their Indonesian helper.

Chinese newspapers

Oriental Daily News and Sin Chew Daily highlighted the plan to transform the higher education which was launched yesterday.

Nanyang Siang Pau reported that 293 bus operators have been given two weeks to settle their outstanding summonses.

Tamil newspapers

Malaysia Nanban led with former MIC deputy president S Subramaniam saying that Maika Holdings' Oriental Capital Assurance Bhd (OCAB) should remain in the hands of Indian Malaysians.

It also reported that PKR leader S Manikavasagam would be handing in some evidence pertaining to the sudden death of drama actress K Sujatha to the IGP today.

Tamil Nesan reported on the arrest of a Casanova in who preyed primarily on air stewardess'.

Makkal Osai is under a one-month suspension which will only be lifted on Sept 24.

Editorials

News Straits Times called for the authorities to settle the plight of thousands of Malaysians who do not have birth certificates or other forms of identification.

The Sun called for an all inclusive national consultation on the principles and practice of a shared nationhood and need to re-examine the social contract.

Berita Harian stressed on the need for the authorities to tackle more aggressively the problem of smoking among the young.

Utusan Malaysia called all Barisan Nasional component parties to play their part in strengthening national unity and social cohesion.

Oriental Daily News urged the ministry to look into the reasons for the drop in the standard of tertiary education in the country.

Nanyang Siang Pau commented on the vegetables that have been found to be highly contaminated with carcinogenic pesticide residues in Selangor.

Sin Chew Daily asked the government to standardise the Halal food recognition.

Malaysia Nanban wanted all announcements in international airports to be made in Tamil as well. Similarly the daily also urged banks to have ATM instructions in Tamil.

Tamil Nesan said it was important for all future BN leaders to continue with the consultative method being implemented at present.