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 Human Resources Minister, Dr S Subramaniam announcing that 20,000 vacancies in the civil service would be filled by retrenched private sector employees.

Star headlined Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs secretary general Mohd Zain Mohd Dom stating that the ministry would be meeting Bank Negara and other financial institutions to further reduce interest rates for credit card payment.

Malay newspapers

Utusan Malaysia headlined that Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would be informing the sultans at the Conference of Rulers on the political development in Perak.

Berita Harian reported that the government would be hiring retrenched workers to fill vacancies in the civil service.

Chinese newspapers

Nanyang Siang Pau headlined on Barisan Nasional's plan on replacing the Perak state assembly speaker, V Sivakumar.

China Press front-paged Chua Soi Lek and Ong Tee Keat confirming that they are not on bad terms with each other as rumoured.

Oriental Daily led with 20 million in China unemployed due to the economical downturn.

Sin Chew Daily reported that land worth RM40 million in Selangor were stolen and had their owners’ name changed.

Tamil newspapers

Makkal Osai also headlined that Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would inform the sultans on the political developments in Perak.

Malaysia Nanban led with V Mathialagan of IPF’s Unity Committee announcing that there would not be any factions within the party.

Tamil Nesan led with Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak announcing that BN’s candidate in the Bukit Gantang parliamentary by-election would be a local leader.

Editorial

New Straits Times commented on the Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau by-elections that would be held simultaneously exactly 60 days after the seat was declared vacant.

Berita Harian called for the problem of urban poverty to be addressed fairly.

Malaysia Nanban questioned whether employees are the only segment of society that has to withstand the burden of economic crisis.

Sin Chew Daily said that Hillary Clinton's Asia tour holds a big responsibility.

Nanyang Daily commented on the approval for building houses on hillsides.