Malaysiakini compares 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 and Star highlighted the launch of the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC), which promises for Sabahans hundreds of billions of ringgit in investments, thousands of jobs and many development projects.

Both dailies also highlighted the ongoing inquiry into the Lingam tape, highlighting aspects of testimony by high-profile witnesses.

Malay newspapers

Berita Harian and Utusan Malaysia led with the launch of the SDC, and continued their focus on the case of Sharlinie Mohd. Nashar. Sharlinie, who has been missing for 21 days - she turns five years old today.

Tamil newspapers

Makkal Osai led with parents questioning the education ministry’s delay in constructing a new building for the Kangar Pulai Tamil school in Johor when both money and land have been allocated. The parents have threatened to go on a hunger strike unless a satisfactory answer is received within two weeks.

Tamil Nesan led with a speculative story that the general election would be called before Feb 13.

Chinese newspapers

Sin Chew Daily and Oriental Daily led with testimony by former chief justice Mohd Dzaiddin Abdullah before the royal commission of inquiry into the Lingam tape.

He claimed to have been sidelined by his predecessor Eusoff Chin and that Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim, who succeeded him, was awarded a Tan Sri’ on the recommendation of Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, currently the tourism minister.

Nanyang Siang Pau front-paged the launch of the SDC.

Editorial

Berita Harian called on the health ministry to highlight the danger of using botox injections in cosmetic surgery.

Utusan Malaysia said the SDC project would raise the standard of living in Sabah.

Tamil Nesan commented on overcrowding in prisons.

New Straits Times said plans by the Public Service Department to embark on a rebranding exercise should proceed from a genuine upgrading of performance, capabilities, service and delivery. Rebranding should not be a mere public relations exercise consisting of ‘slogans and catch-phrases’.