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 frontpaged the statement by Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai that all government and private clinics will be integrated under the proposed 1Care national health care system, to increase people's access to health care service. The blueprint of the plan will be produced in two years.

Star led with the shortage of foreign maids which has affected some 35,000 families. The Malaysian Association of Foreign Maid Agencies urged the government to attend to the problem and consider lowering the age limit of foreign maids to allow more maids in from Cambodia.

China Press and Sin Chew Daily headlined that a tourist from Ireland was bitten to death by two dogs in a Penang orchard.

Oriental Daily News headlined that the Selayang wholesale market is lacking in workers due to a the police sweep on foreign workers since last week and similar operations might paralyse the operation of markets in the whole country.

Nanyang Siang Pau headlined the leader of the Malaysia Taiwanese Commerce Society complaining that the Malaysian foreign workers policy had led to a drop in competitiveness.

Malay Newspapers

Utusan Malaysia front-paged that the Road Transport Department has been given greater enforcement powers after the amendment of the Road Transport Act 1987. Now it can take action against offenders in all kinds of roads including those in rural, estate and residential areas.

It also highlighted a protest against PKR Sri Muda assemblyperson Shuhaimi Shafiei, who was alleged to have committed treason against the Sultan of Selangor.

Beirta Harian also led with the announcement by Liow on the 1Care National Health Care scheme.

Sinar Harian led with the announcement by PKR that six of its party branches' polls were void and now need to hold fresh elections.

Editorial

New Straits Times warned that food prices worldwide are increasing again. The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation reported that export prices rose 32 percent overall between June and December last year.

Berita Harian commented on the eight-hour meeting between Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak with all BN MPs in the last weekend. It said that the premier will be meeting with all Umno division chairpersons and BN state assemblypersons soon.

Sin Chew Daily urged the authorities to enhance inspection on public transport for the safety of the passengers.

Nanyang Siang Pau discussed on the problems of public buses without valid permits and ways to solve this problem.

China Press urged the government to tighten the control of public construction works to ensure their quality.