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 led with the high cost of shoplifting, with losses amounting up to RM1 billion a year.

Star reported that three new companies will offer electronic services to the Road Transport Department.

Malay newspapers

Utusan Malaysia highlighted a call by the Syarie Lawyers Association, urging the government to use the law against those who question the institution of the Fatwa Council.

Berita Harian reported on an anti-graft investigation against a Negri Sembilan executive councillor, who is alleged to have bribed a Puteri Umno leader.

Tamil newspapers

Malaysia Nanban featured the alleged kidnapping of young Indian women.

Tamil Nesan headlined the drop in petrol price.

Makkal Osai focused on IPF deputy MV Mathialagan who warned of chaos if the party’s annual general meeting is not conducted according to procedure.

Chinese newspapers

Both Sin Chew Daily and China Press highlighted a complaint by a Puteri Umno member from the Jempol division against 10 Anti-Corruption Agency officers. The officers had allegedly questioned her in a budget hotel in town without being accompanied by female officer. She was called for investigation on money politic allegation in the party election.

China Press also reported the same Puteri Umno member as claiming that she was forced to admit receiving bribery.

Oriental Daily reported nearly 500,000 Chinese women had entered Malaysia as of last November, with some of them being involved in prostitution.

Nanyang Siang Pau reported that the Immigration Department has given a stern warning to employers to send retrenched foreign workers back to their home country within one week.

Editorial

New Straits Times

commented on the yoga ban by the National Fatwa Council.

Utusan Malaysia called on all parties to respect the yoga ban

Berita Harian also urged all parties to accept the fatwa on yoga without question.

Malaysia Nanban wondered whether visa problems affecting temple priests will be resolved.

Makkal Osai

pointed out that politicians already seem to be worried about the next general election.

Nanyang Siang Pau said the multi-language road signs in Penang was a sign of multi culture in Malaysia.

Sin Chew Daily said Asia Pacific Free Trade Zone, which was proposed by the American President George W Bush, was an effort by the country to continue its dominance in world economy.