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 Thailand’s post-coup elections. The People Power Party that regroups Thaksin Shinawatra’s Thai Rak Thai party won 228 of parliament’s 480 seats but fell 10 seats short of securing a majority.

The Star led with the new driving syllabus to produce “five-star drivers” in March next year. It also front-paged a photo of the five-year-old girl who was attacked by a leopard at Zoo Negara on Sunday. She suffered mild face injuries.

The Sun reported that Gerakan had taken disciplinary action against its Youth Vice-chief S Paranjothy for releasing a statement criticising Umno and the government for their treatment of Indians in Malaysia. It also led with the Penang state government’s proposal to use helicopters to airlift vehicles involved in accidents on the Penang Bridge to prevent congestion.

Malay newspapers

Utusan Malaysia also reported Gerakan’s move to institute disciplinary action against its youth vice chief, including suspension or dismissal from the party. It also reported the success of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s supporters in the Thai elections. Utusan Malaysia also front-paged a photo of a farmer examining rice crop after the floods in Alor Star, Kedah.

Berita Harian reported that the racial imbalance amongst public service department employees is due to the non-Malays’ disinterest in these jobs. It also reported that chicken feed in this country is halal after DNA testing found no traces of pig enzyme in its ingredients.

Berita Harian also led with a photo of women in South Thailand dropping their votes in a ballot box. It also front-paged news of a mechanic killed by an express bus while fixing a car along the North-South Expressway. The accident was witnessed by the victim’s mother and siblings.

Chinese newspapers

Sin Chew Daily, Nanyang Siang Pau and Oriental Daily News front-paged Gerakan Acting President Koh Tsu Koon’s announcement that the party will take action against its Youth Vice-Chief S Paranjonthy for issuing a statement that criticised the government. Koh also criticised Umno Youth Chief Hishammuddin Hussein for threatening to severe ties with the party.

Tamil newspapers

Tamil Nesan ’s main news was on the fire which gutted a Tamil school in Klang.

The Tamil dailies - Nesan, Makkal Osai and Malaysia Nanban - also highlighted the possible party action against Gerakan’s Youth vice chief S Paranjothy.

Editorial

New Straits Times doubted the efficacy of parole to ease prison congestion because the problem is due to the number of remand prisoners and foreigners in custody for immigration offences. Thus, it urged faster trials and more effective immigration policies to address the problem of overpopulated prisons.

The Sun commented on Thaksin’s role in Thai politics and the elections. It also commented on Thailand’s turbulent path to a stable democracy.

Utusan Malaysia urged housing developers to incorporate better drainage systems in their projects, particularly in urban areas, to prevent floods caused by water runoff.

Berita Harian commented on former Finance Minister Daim Zainuddin’s call to the government to pay attention to Selangor, Penang and Kedah for the coming general election. Berita Harian urged Umno and BN representatives to address grievances at the grassroots level, not only in those three states, if it wants to retain electoral victory.

Sin Chew Daily and Nanyang Siang Pau both commented on university students who hire others to write their Masters and PhD theses for them.

Makkal Osai suggested that MIC president S Samy Vellu agrees for a referendum among the Indian community on who should lead them.

Tamil Nesan urged for more action in flood prevention programmes.