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.

Frontpage

English Newspapers

New Straits Times highlighted that private investigator P Balasubramaniam had identified Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri as the driver of the car that took Altantuya Shariibuu away from the house of Abdul Razak Baginda on the night she was believed to have been killed.

The Star frontpaged the Cabinet's newly approved measures to crackdown crime in Johor Baru, amongst them 400 extra cops in the streets, RM6 million for three new temporary district police headquarters and 200 more police vehicles for patrolling.

The Sun led with the report on the Altantuya trial. It highlighted P Balasubramaniam's testimony that Abdul Razak Baginda had denied knowing about the murder when he was told of it by the private eye.

Malay Mail also led with a similar report as The Sun.

Malay Newspapers

Berita Harian and Utusan Malaysia reported that the private investigator told the High Court that Abdul Razak Baginda claimed that he did not know what had actually happened to Altantuya.

Berita Harian also highlighted Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's confidence that Proton Holdings Bhd and Volkswagen AG will reach an agreement in talks to form a strategic cooperation.

Chinese Newspapers

Nanyang Siang Pau frontpaged three steps announced by the Cabinet to tackle serious crime cases in Johor Baru.

Oriental Daily reported that the Employers Provident Fund disallowed members to withdraw for investing in overseas trust fund.

Tamil newspapers

Makkal Osai led with a story on Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's meeting with Malaysian students in Russia. It also had the Altantuya trial in the front page.

Editorial

New Straits Times questioned whether Malaysians have become too dependent on domestic help in the spate of rising reports of inhumane abuses by employers and also cases of maids who created trouble for their employers.

Berita Harian echoed Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's call to Malaysian Trades Union Congress not to picket next Monday and said that the struggles of a workers' union is not only limited to the issue of pay rise but also the welfare of workers

Utusan Malaysia opined that students have to be smart in applying for courses in public higher education institutions and blamed the students' tendency of choosing popular public universities as the cause of stiff competition.

Nanyang Siang Pau commented on the suggestion to make it compulsory for all tourists to purchase travel insurance.

Oriental Daily opined that the abuse of the domestic maid reflect the lack of human rights knowledge among Malaysians.

Sin Chew Daily urged the Road Transport Department to be more strict in checking and inspecting second hand cars before any trading, for the sake of public benefit.

Others

The Star reported that the usually cheerful family members of Abdul Razak Baginda suddenly turned emotional yesterday. Before the start of the proceedings, his daughter Rowena, 20, was heard saying, "It's suicide, father. It's stupid" during a quiet chat. During an hour long break in the morning, the political analyst, his wife, his daughter and also Mark, his college friend from London were seen in tears again.