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

Front Page

English newspapers

New Straits Times reported the ban on all scratch-and-win contests to protect consumers from unscrupulous practices. It also led with the health minister's concern over private hospitals charging exorbitant rates.

Star and The Sun led with the prime minister's rejection of Hindraf's claims, saying that it was obvious that Malaysia's progress has benefitted all Malaysians.

Both dailies also front-paged former Hong Kong Chief Secretary Anson Chan's victory in a Legislative Council by-election yesterday, a victory widely seen as a referendum on democracy.

Malay newspapers

Utusan Malaysia front-paged a World Bank report that Malaysia's education system is at critical point, far behind others in the region. It also led with Umno Youth Chief Hishammuddin Hussein's call to the authorities to investigate the masterminds of the recent public protests.

Berita Harian led with the prime minister's assertion that the government's success in developing the country and people of all races was the best refutation towards Hindraf's allegations. It also reported a ban on all scratch-and-win contests, particularly those conducted by direct-selling companies.

Chinese newspapers

Both Sin Chew Daily and Nanyang Siang Pau highlighted Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi's instruction to the police to stop Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders from spreading "ethnic cleansing" accusations.

Oriental Daily reported on the government ban of scratch-and-win contests with immediate effect.

Tamil newspapers

Makkal Osai 's lead story was on former MIC leader V Govindaraju asking MIC president S Samy Vellu to resign for the sake of the community.

Tamil Nesan highlighted Hindraf legal adviser P Uthayakumar's complaint that his car tyres were slashed by some unknown persons.

Editorial

New Straits Times commented on the safety of the Malacca Straits, rejecting the need for foreign assistance as terrorism is not an immediate threat.

Utusan Malaysia urged employers to make foreign workers' health a priority to prevent dangerous diseases from affecting the country.

Berita Harian lauded the Monsoon Cup race as a catalyst for development in Terengganu.

Oriental Daily applauded the government's decision to ban scratch-and-win contests.

Sin Chew Daily urged the government to probe into the tragedy where three paratrooper were killed during a parachuting rehearsal on Sunday.

Nanyang Siang Pau said consumers should use their credit cards wisely.

Tamil Nesan commented that the economic growth for the next year would be strong.