Malaysiakini compares the key news and views in major newspapers. What is today’s agenda for the English, Malay, Tamil and Chinese papers?

Front page

English newspaper

Both the Star and New Straits Times continue to highlight the controversy surrounding the new Terengganu menteri besar.

NST quoted Ahmad Said as admitting that he would not last long in office and denied that he has gone against the Umno leadership by accepting the appointment.

The Star quoted him as saying that he did not need to be sworn in before starting work today. Ahmad has earlier received an appointment letter from the palace. The paper also highlighted a comment from an unidentified senior Umno politician who urged Ahmad to “wake up to the real world”.

Malay newspaper

Both Berita Harian and Utusan Malaysia highlighted that Ahmad was to assume his role as the Terengganu menteri besar today amid the controversy.

Berita Harian also quoted Higher Education Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin as saying his ministry will review provisions in the Universities and University Colleges Act which restricted students’ creativity and the university’s administration.

Utusan also reported that the Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (Smart) maybe closed until March 30 for flood mitigation operations.

Tamil newspapers

Tamil Nesan led with the new Housing and Local Government Minister Ong Ka Chuan as saying that the government will look into calls for elections in local councils.

Makkal Osai led with the swearing-in of the new 10-member Selangor state exco yesterday.

Editorial

NST lauded newly-appointed Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Shahrir Abdul Samad’s move to review the price control system on essential goods.

Utusan called for an immediate solution into the Terengganu menteri besar controversy to eliminate the negative perception among the rakyat on the ruling government and the palace.

Berita Harian said the Formula One race in Sepang can be a catalyst to turn Asia into a hub of the motorsports.

Tamil Nesan supported a new anti-hopping law to prevent elected representatives from crossing over.