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

Front Page

English newspapers

The Star highlighted the health ministry's stepped-up surveillance on food products imported from China following the alarming rate of contamination in such products.

The ministry also took centre-stage in the New Straits Times but on another issue - its statistics reveal that 11.6 million Malaysians are affected by non-communicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension and cancer.

Malay newspapers

Berita Harian led with the education ministry's plan to study the possibility allowing teachers to mete out stringent punishment on students, including public caning, to discipline them.

Utusan Malaysia reported that the Malaysia-Thailand border has become a prime location in the smuggling of illegal immigrants into the country.

Chinese newspapers

Oriental Daily reported that the hike in civil servants' salaries from this month appears to have led to a spike in borrowing from at least two co-operative societies, and increased spending.

According to the Nanyang Siang Pau front page report, there will be good prospects in the four states covered by the Northen Region Economic Corridor, when the project is launched.

Sin Chew Daily readers were given details of a grisly crime - the new owner of a condominium unit found the remains of a body, cut into 11 pieces and placed in five black garbage bags, in the sealed-off refrigerator on the premises.

Tamil newspapers

Makkal Osai reported that Bukit Jalil estate residents are worried over the future of SJK (T) Ladang Bukit Jalil, which is surrounded by high-rise building. They fear that the school will be torn down to make way for development.

Tamil Nesan headlined Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's call for all Barisan Nasional component parties to start preparing for the general election.

Editorial

The New Straits Times says the deportation of illegal immigrants would be expeditious and less expensive compared to taking them to court.

Berita Harian urged online media practitioners and bloggers to be more responsible in their writing.

Utusan Malaysia feels that the Northen Corridor Economic Region, to be launched today by the prime minister, will offer youths and professionals in the northen states a new platform for success.

Sin Chew Daily was optimistic about the outlook for the Malaysian stock market, after the plunge in regional markets last week.

Nanyang Siang Pau commented on the increasing number of child abuse cases in the country, advising couples to be well prepared before having children.

Makkal Osai called for local universities to conduct research that could lead to development and national unity.

Tamil Nesan welcomed the government's move to amend the Child Act 2001.