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 front-paged a story on premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi denying that the government had influenced the Federal Court in its decision not to order the removal of Islam from Lina Joy's identity card. The daily's front page also had a report on a suspected arson incident Ipoh, Perak, where five family members perished and two houses were destroyed.

The New Straits Times led with a slightly more detailed account of the arson incident. Neighbours, it reported, said they saw a man throwing something at the house and speeding away in a white Kancil moments before the fire broke out.

Malay newspapers

Berita Harian and Utusan Malaysia frontpaged the arson incident in Ipoh. They also reported on an announcement by the Securities Commission that it would deny access to unlicensed online investment schemes by 11pm tonight.

Berita Harian also carried the Prime Minister Abdullah's comments on the Lina Joy ruling.

Utusan Malaysia front-paged a report on the premier calling for ailing national car company Proton to "do something" to reverse its downward business spiral. Proton recorded losses of RM619.9 million for the fiscal year ending March 31.

Chinese newspapers

Sin Chew Daily frontpaged yesterday's death of five family members in Ipoh.

Nanyang Siang Pau reported on the massive losses suffered by Proton.

Oriental Daily reported the prime minister's denial of any political interference in the Lina Joy case.

Tamil newspapers

Makkal Osai frontpaged a report on the suspected arson in Ipoh. It also reported the plight of 47 Indian workers in an estate in Negeri Sembilan who could not return to their homeland although their three-year contract ended in 2005. Their passports and visas were taken by their employer upon their arrival in Malaysia.

Editorial

English newspapers

The New Straits Times called for more 'non-smoking' zones in order to help stub out the habit among Malaysians.

Bahasa newspapers

Berita Harian believed the standardising of plantation workers' wages to RM600, up from RM500, together with the other incentive benefits and allowances, will bring about 30,000 people above the poverty line index.

Utusan Malaysia had an editorial on the realisation of Federal Territory Minister Zulhasnan Rafique's 'vision and mission' towards improving, refurbishing, and increasing the delivery system in Kuala Lumpur.

Chinese papers

Sin Chew Daily raised concerns over the problem of discipline among Rela members.

Nanyang Siang Pau called upon the Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein and the Chinese education movement Dong Jiao Zong to built trust in each other.

Oriental Daily commented on the judgment of the Thai court on the election law violations case and its impact in that country.

Tamil newspapers

Makkal Osai applauded Tamil Nadu government's move to form International Tamil Research Centre in the state. The research centre is hoped to expand the usage of Tamil language in the international level.

Others

Nanyang Siang Pau announced three changes in the newspaper, starting today:

Firstly, it has replaced the current computer-generated masthead with the original calligraphy masthead, which had been use for the past 60 years.

Secondly, the evening edition will be revert to the original normal size, from the current tabloid size.

And thirdly, the evening edition will see a price increase, from 80sen to RM1.00.