All newspapers in the three languages highlighted the nomination and polling day for the 12 th General Election which will be held on Feb 24 and Mar 8 respectively.

Editorials

New Straits Times reminded that the Ops Sikap operation must continue and there is no room for complacency. It opined that road safety education must start in school as early as possible and safety should be given equal attention as manual driving skills in the driving test.

Berita Harian hoped that the 13-day election campaign period will be utilised properly by all political parties. It also reminded voters to be rational and not be carried away by racial issues.

Sin Chew Daily called on all political parties to field good quaity candidates. It also reminded that personality and ability of candidates should be taken into account. It concluded that candidates who touch on racial issues will be thrown out by the multiracial voters.

Nanyang Siang Pau urged the election committee to learn from its mistakes in 2004 and not to favour any political party, for the sake of a fair and just election.

Meanwhile, The Borneo Post carried a story speculating that Ding Kwong Hiing, a political secretary to the chief minister, is the BN-Supp candidate for Sarikei. The paper says that the delay by Supp in naming its candidate has sparked speculation that the nominees recommended by the party’s Sarikei and Bintangor branches have been rejected. Sarikei incumbent Law Hieng Ding has retired.