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

The Sun led with news that the government aimed to boost the standards of medical and healthcare programmes in universities as an effort to enhance the level of excellence of public universities.

New Straits Times highlighted the recent launch of Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) which aimed to turn Sarawak into a resource-rich state.

The Star frontpaged that bread and butter issues worry Malaysians the most today, according to a survey conducted by the newspaper.

Malay Newspapers

Berita Harian and Utusan Malaysia led with the launch of Score, which will see an initial input of RM105.6 billion investment in its early phase.

Chinese Newspapers

Both Nanyang Siang Pau and Oriental Daily led with Umno deputy president Najib Abdul Razak’s assurance that the Penang chief minister post would be retained by Gerakan.

Sin Chew Daily hightlighted the attempted assassination against East Timor president Jose Ramos-Horta and prime minister Xanana Gusmao.

Tamil newspapers

Malaysia Nanban reported that MIC president S Samy Vellu once again refused to respond to claims that his former deputy S Subramaniam has been offered a seat for the coming elections, telling the media to ask Subramaniam instead about it.

In Tamil Nesan , Samy Vellu is quoted blasting the opposition for using Hindu temples for political purposes.

And in Makkal Osai , the MIC veteran is reported to have teasingly responded to queries if he would introduce young blood in the coming elections. He said that he would have to conduct blood checks first to see if the young candidates are really young before deciding on their candidacy.

Editorial

The Sun said Asian countries should be ready to embrace the current changes in world economy in order to increase the Asian purchasing power.

New Straits Times said the proposal to allow conjugal visits and allowing sex with spouses in prison was not a panacea to help the process of rehabilitation of prisoners. The core of the proposal should be to better prepare the prisoners for the life on the outside.

Berita Harian said the meeting of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi with Thailand’s new Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej will renew cooperation between both countries in handling the Southern Thailand crisis.

Utusan Malaysia said politicians who work hard should not worry of being dropped from contesting in the upcoming general election.

Sin Chew Daily said the proposal to reduce official holidays required detailed discussion.

Oriental Daily said the Penang chief minister’s post is set to become a hot topic because it is the only chief ministerial post held old by Chinese.

Nanyang Siang Pau said Dr Koh Tsu Koon’s decision in allowing the prime minister to decide the future Penang chief minister was a political strategic to prevent a possible infighting in Gerakan.

Makkal Osai urged the National Registration Department to hire Tamil-speaking officers on a permanent basis so that Indian names are not misspelt, a common occurrence now.

Tamil Nesan urged the Burmese junta to fulfill their election promises to restore democracy in the country.