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 a new move starting next year which allows driving license renewals at post offices for motorist whose documents are incorporated into their MyKad's.

The New Straits Times reported former Deputy Prime Minister Musa Hitam's views on how discussions on racial issues reflected government openness and society's maturity.

The Sun meanwhile reported Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's hope that one day, bumiputeras would no longer need leg ups encapsulated in the New Economic Policy (NEP).

All three dailies provided different details regarding the day-long standoff yesterday between Malacca pig farmers and the state authorities which eventually cooled down during the evening.

The New Straits Times, quoting state secretary Ismail Salleh, reported that the pig farmers and the state government had reached a deal leading to the standing down by state authorities.

MCA-owned the Star however reported that it was MCA leaders and not the pig farmers involved in the meet which gave the pig farmers a reprieve.

While both dailies reported that the intended pig culling exercise yesterday was called off due to protest from pig farmers, the Sun reports that "thousands" of pigs were culled yesterday.

Malay newspapers

Utusan Malaysia reported allegations by Civil Service Union (Cuepacs) president Omar Osman on enforcement officers being frequently under threat from "thugs" who are protecting illegal businesses.

Berita Harian reported of a successful nabbing of a syndicate which attempted to smuggle 275,000 litres of subsidised diesel worth RM500,000 in Penang.

Both dailies reported on the stable condition of former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad who underwent a second heart bypass surgery yesterday.

Chinese newspapers

All Sin Chew Daily, Nanyang Siang Pau and Oriental Daily News frontpaged the tension at Paya Mengkuang New Village in Malacca over the pig farms issue.

Tamil newspapers

Malaysia Nanban led with criticisms by several community leaders on a call made by former judge VC George for Tamil schools in the country to be closed.

The daily also quoted sources that former deputy president of MIC S Subramaniam could be sacked from the party over his alleged role in the violence at the recent Maika Holdings AGM.

Tamil Nesan led with a gruesome death of a woman who perished in a late night fire which engulfed her house in Sepang.

Editorials

English daily New Straits Times and two Malay dailies Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian lauded the government move to allow up to five years unpaid maternity leave. All three dailies however warned of possible pitfalls in the move.

The Sun said that the monarchy has a pivotal role to play in Malaysian democracy particularly in the role of check and balance.

Nanyang Siang Pau also commented on the new maternity leave proposal recently announced by the government.

Sin Chew Daily meanwhile urged the government to help the Chinese businessmen in view of the pessimism on the economic prospects according to a survey by the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM).

Malaysia Nanban warned all those who called for the closure of Tamil schools in this country.