It's the last day of the year and most dailies are on the same page on the deputy prime minister's statement lambasting the opposition's promises to slash oil subsidies.

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

FRONT-PAGE

English newspapers

New Straits Times, The Star and The Sun front-paged Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's rebuttal to the opposition's promises to reduce oil price saying it will bankrupt the government.

New Straits Times also highlighted Najib's explanation on temples demolition in Shah Alam and internal quarrel in Perlis Umno leadership.

The Sun quoted several Umno leaders urging Perlis Menteri Besar Shahidan Kassim and the party secretary-general Radzi Sheikh Ahmad to solve their disagreements internally.

New Straits Times also led with Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (Ikim) director-general Dr Syed Ali Al-Attas's comments on R Subashini case where he agreed that there would be no need for conversion of Subashini's child into Islam as "non-Muslims have a natural inclination towards Islam".

The Star also front-paged a photo of the first National Service batch for 2008 who received grand welcome at a camp in Penang.

Chinese newspapers

Both Sin Chew Daily and Oriental Daily led with Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s statement where opposition’s promises to reduce oil prices would only bankrupt the country.

Nanyang Siang Pau reported the Government, Housing and Local Government Minister Ong Ka Ting said that the number of family members would also become a consideration in approving assistance for urban poor families.

Nanyang Siang Pau, Kwong Wah Yit Poh and Sin Chew Daily also reported a pornographic VCD which allegedly involved a senior politician was widely distributed in Batu Pahat, Muar. This issue has been ignored by other newspapers, with the exception of Utusan Malaysia, which has a report on the scandal in its inside pages.

Malay newspapers

Utusan Malaysia led with Najib refuting opposition's promises to reduce oil price. It also quoted Deputy Human Resource Minister Abdul Rahman Bakar that intake of foreign workers should be temporarily stopped until new policies introduced and front-paged a picture of Bank Negara governor Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz receiving the Women’s Icon Award 2007 at PWTC. It also led with stories on seven individuals held for illegal “scratch and win” direct selling and another on a taxi driver for child abuse.

Berita Harian front-paged images of the alleged killer of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. It also led with over 25,000 tonne of rice worth over RM60 million allegedly belonging to Bernas stranded in Port Klang and Kota Kinabalu Port since a week ago. It also reported that 11 foreigners are feared drowned in Malaysia-Brunei waters after the timber-laden ship they were sailing on sank last week.

EDITORIAL

New Straits Times commented on national service programme which objective to promote social integration have been doubted. It said to ensure the success of the programme, Malaysians should focus on its positive traits rather than dwell on its shortcomings. It also stressed that the organisers should make sure the programme safe, inspiring and memorable for the trainees.

Nanyang Siang Pau commented on China’s decision to hold Hong Kong chief executive election on year 2017.

Sin Chew Daily urged the government to build more Chinese primary schools to solve the problem of additional tuition classes in school.

Utusan Malaysia urged the people to reject public demonstrations as they caused chaos and mischief saying that the government had taken moderate action on handling protesters. It also said that democracy in Malaysia strive for development and should not be practised like in Pakistan, Iraq and some neighbouring countries in Asean.

Berita Harian said that the best education is not only available at government's residential schools in light with the recently announced PMR examination results. Instead, a student's success relies on his own capability and competitiveness along with support from parents and school.