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 , the Star and The Sun front-paged the dropped attempted murder charges against the Hindraf 31. Five students were released unconditionally, 25 pleaded guilty to causing mischief and illegal assembly while one man is set to answer the illegal assembly charge in another court. All men were released on RM500 bail.

The Star also led with a photo of the Royal Malaysian Air Force loading food supplies to be airdropped over Pekan, Pahang while The Sun front-paged a photo of Malaysia’s Joanne Chan participating in the inaugural Miss Tourism Metropolitan International pageant held in Malaysia.

Malay newspapers

Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian also reported with the Hindraf 31's dropped attempted murder charges. Both dailies also reported the birth of a baby boy in a fire truck near Tumpat, Kelantan after floods prevented his parents from reaching the hospital in time.

Utusan Malaysia also led with a photo of the Rantau Panjang customs in Kelantan hit by flood waters and the deputy prime minister’s comments that the release of water from a South Thailand dam has worsened floods in Kelantan.

Berita Harian also reported that a boat ferrying Mengkebang state assemblyman capsized in Sungai Nal, Kelantan on route back from delivering food supplies to flood victims.

Tamil newspapers

All three Tamil dailies - Tamil Nesan, Malaysia Nanban and Makkal Osai , gave prominent coverage for the Hindraf 31 court case.

Editorial

New Straits Times commented on the establishment of the Kota Warisan cultural village in Kuala Lumpur, calling on it to be made a supportive space for artists to live and showcase their skills.

The Sun lauded the prime minister’s meeting with Indian non-governmental groups last week and supported the suggestion to set up a non-Muslim department in the Prime Minister’s Department as a channel for non-Muslims to raise their concerns with the government.

Utusan Malaysia called on more civil society volunteers and corporate sponsors to help out during floods and natural disasters.

Berita Harian suggested that help and incentives be given to underperforming schools as well, following the prime minister’s suggestion that incentives be given to schools with a 100 percent pass rate. It also urged the corporate sector, including government-linked companies, to lend a helping hand to these schools.

Makkal Osai commented on the benefits to be derived from the ongoing Convention of Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) in Kuala Lumpur.

Tamil Nesan hoped that the prime minister will look into concerns raised by the Indian community.