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 front-paged the establishment of communal mediation committees at district levels to resolve racial issues. It also briefly headlined the postponement of the controversial Special Complaints Commission Bill to the next sitting of parliament in March next year.

The Star reported the unrelenting floods, particularly in Johor and Pahang, with forecasts of more rainfall and high tide for the east coast.

The Sun led with royal commission chairperson Haidar Mohd Noor announcing that the commission will hold public hearings from Jan 14 to 25 to investigate the Lingam tape. It also front-paged a photo of Haidar and a quote of him responding indifferently to his critics.

Malay newspapers

Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian front-paged a photo of pilgrims on the haj in Arafah, Saudi Arabia and the establishment of a non-Muslim affairs committee in the prime minister’s department to address the grievances of these communities.

Berita Harian also led with the royal commission’s announcement that it will hold its public inquiries from Jan 14 but may hold it behind closed courts if necessary.

Utusan Malaysia also reported that almost 40,000 are expected to celebrate Aidiladha at relief centres as the floods have not receded. It also front-paged the country’s first disabled senator Dr Ismail Mohd Salleh who was sworn in yesterday.

It also led with Permodalan Nasional Berhad’s announcement of an income distribution of eight sen per unit and a one sen per unit bonus for Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) unit holders for the financial year ending in December.

Chinese newspapers

Sin Chew Daily led with the government’s plans to set up a non-Muslim affairs committee to address the issues of non-Muslims.

Nanyang Siang Pau reported the decision of the royal commission on the Lingam tape to hold open inquiries from Jan 14 next year.

Oriental Daily reported that a Session Court judge had urged the amendment of the environmental act so that polluting offenders and their employers can be punished.

Tamil newspapers

Tamil Nesan led with the tragic killing of a three-year-old girl who was beaten to death by her close relative. The daily also reported the prime minister as saying that there was no need for a special department to oversee the needs of the non-Muslim communities.

Makkal Osai led with a warning from the Deputy Internal Affairs Minister Johari Baharom that the government will not be so lenient in the future against people who participate in street protests.

Editorial

New Straits Times urged for examinations to be de-emphasised to reduce stress on children. It also commented on how society’s obsession with examination results is at a dangerously unhealthy level.

The Sun urged the government to revive the national creed or Rukun Negara to promote national unity, as recommended by the National Unity Advisory Panel.

Utusan Malaysia called on the government to carefully consider the demands of “opportunist” groups. Commenting on the dropped attempted murder charges against the Hindraf 31 and the establishment of a non-Muslim affairs committee, it said that certain demands are baseless.

Berita Harian commented favourably on the Haj emphasising its power to unite Muslims all over the world irrespective of nationality, class or skin colour.

Nanyang Siang Pau commented on the proposed amendment to the Prisons Act to allow early-release schemes to ease prison congestion.

Sin Chew Daily urged the authorities to address the worsening drug trafficking activities.

Makkal Osai urged the government to look into the complaints raised by the grassroots, which it claimed were with some basis.

Tamil Nesan thanked the prime minister for showing leniency in dropping the attempted murder charge against 31 Hindraf supporters.