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

New Straits Times ran with the arrest - and consequent release on bail - of Selangor state exco Ronnie Liu. The DAP man was hauled up for allegedly obstructing an enforcement officer from Subang Jaya Municipal Council performing a anti-vice raid in a Puchong hotel. Liu is now exco in charge of all local councils in Selangor.

The Star looked at the 2 million young voters and how they will impact the next general election - as articulated by Election Commission deputy chairman Wan Ahmad Wan Omar.

Malay newspapers

Utusan Malaysia led with former chief justice Abdul Hamid Mohamad asking for the merger of civil and syariah law.

Berita Harian started with the bold endorsements for Shahrizat Jalil and Kamilia Ibrahim for number one and two respectively, by Sabah and Negeri Sembilan for the race for Umno wanita leadership. This effectively is an open rejection of present chief Rafidah Aziz’s June transition plan.

Tamil newspapers

Malaysia Nanban front-paged the Kuala Lumpur High Court cancelling with cost the interim injunction obtained by MIC president S Samy Vellu to stop his former Youth chief SA Vigneswaran and three others from continuing to publish an article allegedly defamatory of him.

Tamil Nesan led with the suspension of IPF deputy president V Sengodan and vice-president M Mathialagan following the discovery of alleged irregularities in the construction of the party headquarters and membership fees collection.

Makkal Osai led with Dr Mahathir Mohamad's statement that anyone can be prime minister as long as the person enjoys majority support in the Dewan Rakyat.

Chinese newspapers

MCA president Ong Tee Keat in an interview with Sin Chew Daily , defended his choices for party appointments.

China Press carried an interview with deputy president Chua Soi Lek telling Ong not to use Umno as an excuse to deny him a post in government.

Oriental Daily News reported that the new MCA state lineup is likely to cause fresh in-fighting, especially in Johor and Perak.

Nanyang Siang Pau quoted the Deputy Prime Minister Najib saying, the 30 percent bumiputra policy has to remain - but companies seeking listing on Bursa Malaysia can now open their shares to the wider public.

Editorial

New Straits Times probed the level of sterility in hospitals in the wake of fungal attacks at Johor Bahru’s Sultan Ismail Hospital - a previous episode three years ago had already cost RM14 million of taxpayers money for decontamination work.

Nanyang Siang Pau commented on the new MCA party position lineup, saying all leaders should respect the party's constitution and the wishes of the grassroots.

Utusan Malaysia argued that Malay supremacy is lost without economic strength following the revelation that Malays make up the largest group that earn RM 1000 per month.

Berita Harian welcomed the statement by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who said that the Islamic financial system would be effective in countering the present economic crisis.

Malaysia Nanban urged rubber plantation companies to award land titles to 70 Tamil schools located in their estates.

Makkal Osai highlighted that NATO naval ships were preparing to leave for the port city of Aden.

China Press urged the Health Ministry to take action against few cerealbrands available in the market as they are harmful to the health of children.

Regarding former Taiwanese President Chen Shui- bian who was detained for suspicion of money laundering, Sin Chew Daily urged all local leaders to learn a lesson and not involve themselves in corruption.