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

Headlines

English Newspapers

The English dailies continued their headlines on the Altantuya Shaariibuu trial today.

The Star carried the highlights of yesterday's proceedings, including Altantuya's "last demand" from Abdul Razak Baginda - US$500,000 and three air tickets to Mongolia.

New Straits Times also quoted private investigator P Balasubramaniam - the first prosecution witness - as saying that Altantuya had created a commotion outside Abdul Razak's house two days before she was murdered.

Malay Newspapers

Berita Harian and Utusan Malaysia carried similar reports on private investigator P Balasubramaniam's testimony that Altantuya had asked for USD500,000 (RM1.73 million) and three flight tickets to Mongolia from political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda.

Berita Harian also reported Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's advice to MTUC to avoid picketing in pressing the government to consider enforcing the minimum wage of RM900 and the Cost of Living Allowance of RM300 for private sector workers.

Chinese Newspapers

Nanyang Siang Pau, Sin Chew Daily and Oriental Daily all featured the prosecution witness's testimony in the high profile case.

Tamil Newspapers

All Tamil dailies - Tamil Nesan, Malaysia Nanban and Makkal Osai - carried prominent reports on the murder trial

Editorials

New Straits Times commented on students' struggles in the Malaysian tertiary education system and called for a university education to once again be seen as a privilege.

Berita Harian applauded the government's warning to all employers that they must carry out drugs, alchohol and forbidden substances tests once in six months under the Code of Practice of Prevention and Eradication of Drug, Alchohol and Substance Abuse in the Workplace which is meant to ensure that the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 is adhered. An employer can be sentenced to jail for a maximum of two years or fined a maximum of RM20,000 or both.

Utusan Malaysia hoped that the parliamentarians will adhere to the yet to be implemented new code of ethics.

Nanyang Siang Pau wrote about the admission criteria of local public universities.
Oriental Daily commented on the effects of low inflation on economic growth.

Sin Chew Daily carried an opinion on the effects of minimum wages.

Others

The Star reported that unusually strong winds toppled trees, blew off rooftops and capsized boats in Penang and parts of Kedah. Four flights - two Firefly carriers, an Air Asia carrier and a Malaysia Airline plane were also forced to be diverted from the international airport in Bayan Lepas, Penang. No casualty was reported in the incident.