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

Both New Straits Times and the Star highlighted reform of the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) in a four-prong strategy which includes revamping the agency into a fully-independent Malaysian Commission on Anti-Corruption.

NST also carried an opinion piece by its group editor Syed Nadzri Syed Harun who described the Home Ministry’s decision not to renew the licence of Tamil daily Makkal Osai and the politicising of radio station Selangor FM as “woefully anti-climatic”.

The editor called for the abolition of the Printing Presses and Publications Act.

Bahasa newspapers

Berita Harian and Utusan Malaysia also highlighted the revamp of the ACA, announced by the prime minister yesterday.

Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein was quoted in a front-page Utusan report as saying he is ready to contest the Umno vice-presidency.

Chinese newspapers

Sin Chew Daily, Nanyang Siang Pau, Oriental Daily News and China Press all front-paged the revamp of the ACA.

All four papers also gave wide coverage to the Olympic torch relay that took place in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Tamil newspapers

Tamil Nesan led with a story that the flood-prone Bukit Jalil Tamil school in Kuala Lumpur will be relocated to a two-acre site nearby.

Malaysia Nanban reported on a village near Sungai Petani in Kedah which has no basic amenities. The villagers, comprising 22 Indian Malaysian families, hope for a better future under the Pakatan Rakyat-led government.

Editorial

NST said the Olympic Games should be left alone although there are pressing matters for diplomatic and political resolution. This was in the wake of the Olympic torch run which was marred in some parts of the world by anti-Beijing protesters.

Berita Harian said the price of the daily consumer items must be set at a level which will take into consideration the interests of both manufacturers and consumers.

Utusan called on the government’s investment arm Permodalan Nasional Bhd to invest in strategic industries such as agriculture to increase food supply.

Oriental Daily News commended the government initiative to make the ACA a fully independent body.

Sin Chew Daily said Malaysia should strengthen its naval defence to face the unpredictable situation in Asia Pacific.

Nanyang Siang Pau said the Olympic torch is the symbol of world harmony and embodies the spirit of fair competition.

Malaysian Nanban commented that Tamil school students should be taught the importance of savings.