Malaysiakini compares the key news and views in major newspapers, What are today's agenda for the English, Bahasa, Chinese and Tamil papers. Find out here.

Frontpage

English newspapers

The Star reported that political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda and the two other accused person in Altantuya murder case failed to gain access to witnesses statement for the trial scheduled to begin June 4. However, they may request to access the documents during the trial, after the witnesses have testified .

The New Straits Times frontpaged the booming status of the retail business in Malaysia, where Malaysians spent RM53.55 billion in shopping last year. The Retail Group Malaysia expects the shopping frenzy to repeat this year and the retail sales to grow by eight percent, with the total sales value of goods surpassing RM64 billion.

Malay newspapers

Utusan Malaysia reported Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's prediction that the country's economic momentum will expand six percent this year, and that the expansion will continue in 2008. The daily also reported that the Education Ministry will introduce Malaysian Teaching Standards (MTS) that aims to raise teaching standards among 339,882 teachers in the country.

Berita Harian led with a report on 2008 budget that will be tabled on Sept 7. The budget is expected to move away from the current practice of tax incentives to a more creative and innovative. It also reported on an accident in Kedah that killed eight and hurt two others.

Chinese newspapers

Three local newspapers Sin Chew Daily, Nanyang Siang Pau and Oriental Daily frontpaged the 'big' reshuffle of MCA leadership whereby five new chairmen were picked to head its Selangor, Pahang, Kelantan, Malacca and Terengganu state liaison committees.

Party president Ong Ka Ting (formerly Selangor state chairman) and his deputy Chan Kong Choy (formerly Pahang state chairman) have stepped down from their state posts. It is believed that the move indicates the party is preparing for the coming general election.

Tamil newspapers

Makkal Osai led with a report on the introduction of Malaysian Teaching Standards. The daily also reported the hardship faced by a crab fishing community in Port Klang, Selangor.

Editorial

English newspapers

The New Straits Times felt that errant lawyers must not just get away by getting disbarred from the Advocates and Solicitors Disciplinary Board. It called for the authorities to find a swift way to charge the lawyers in the court.

Malay newspapers

Berita Harian applauded the government's move to develop the 0.45 hectares of wakaf land in Kuala Lumpur's Golden Triangle that will bring RM150 million investment. The land, situated next to Petronas Twin Towers, will be used to build Wisma Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan.

Utusan Malaysia calls for a formation of a fund to increase Muslims' creativity and innovation in the business field. It feels that financial difficulty is the main reason why the Muslims are not innovative and creative in their business development.

Chinese newspapers

Nanyang Siang Pau reported that medical institutions, both private clinics and hospital, should 'save life first and then ask for payment'.

Oriental Daily reported that local Chinese community leaders have pointed out that they have gradually moved away from MCA after the party's failure in highlighting various issues.

At the same time, Sin Chew Daily commented of the concerns raised by Jiao Zhong (the coalition of the Chinese school committees and school teachers associations) over the Chinese education issues.

Tamil newspapers

Makkal Osai applauded Malaysian Indian Business Association (Miba) for its effort to lure Indian businessmen in the country and from India to invest in the Iskandar Development Region in Johor.