Malaysiakini compares the key news and views in major newspapers. What is today's agenda for the newspapers?

Front Page

English newspapers

New Straits Times headlined that the 21-member Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation group has pledged to resist protectionism and to push forward with its plans to build a free trade area.

Star led with a report that PKR’s Zaid Ibrahim, who last week dropped out of the deputy presidential race, has declared that he will quit the party in order to “disassociate (himself) from liars and cheats”.

Malay newspapers

Berita Harian led with news that the floods in Kedah and Perlis, which have destroyed some 30,000 hectares of paddy fields, have cost the states up to RM50 million in losses.

Utusan Malaysia featured news that the divorce rate among Muslims is on the rise, with 27, 116 cases registered last year.

It also front-paged news that Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim has ordered the Yayasan Selangor director to go on leave, following the high cost of its anniversary celebrations.

The Yayasan Selangor issue also made it to the front page of Sinar Harian.

Chinese newspapers

Oriental Daily News front-paged the outcome of the Perak DAP elections, in which the Ngeh Koo Ham faction gained near total control.

Sin Chew Daily reported the views of Immigration Department director-general Alias Ahmad on implementing 10 policies to eradicate corruption.

Nanyang Siang Pau led with a call by the International Trade and Industry Ministry urging SMEs to enhance their applications for government loans.

Editorial

New Straits Times said the release of Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi gives hope that, as military generals fade away, a new guard will set in motion a movement to restore democracy.  

Berita Harian urged parents to not be disappointed with Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s announcement that underprivileged students will be prioritised for entry into boarding schools, as it is these students who need it the most.

Utusan opined that small- and medium-size entrepreneurs in Malaysia are fortunate to have a government which supports such businesses with a myriad of incentives.

Nanyang Siang Pau called on the government to allocate RM48 million  for 252 small Chinese primary schools.

Sin Chew Daily urged countries participating in the G20 summit to work for a broader interest.

China Press commented that the public should be made more aware of Aids.