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

Front Page

English newspapers

New Straits Times, Star and The Sun front-paged a cooking oil supply boost, with 70,000 tonnes to be pumped into the market to resolve the shortage. Prices will not be increased as government subsidies will remain.

New Straits Times also reported that three people, including a MCA member, were jailed for possessing and reproducing the Chua Soi Lek sex DVD. Another report hinted that there will be no roti canai from next week due to flour shortage.

In The Sun, education ministry deputy director-general Noor Rezan Bapoo Hashim addressed the issue of extra school fees, denying that the problem was due to the ministry’s failure. She reiterated that parents were not compelled to pay the extra fees.

Malay newspapers

Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian also reported that the production quota of cooking oil will be increased to address the shortage and rationing.

Utusan Malaysia also reported that the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Service (Cuepacs) is proposing to the prime minister that civil servants be given a RM2,000 bonus and to extend the retirement age from 56 to 60.

Berita Harian front-paged a fatal accident involving three vehicles in Pekan on Sunday. Some of the victims were said to be travelling back from Tanjung Medang in Pekan where they were making wedding preparations. It also reported that parents will have the option of paying additional school fees in installments from RM2 a month.

Chinese newspapers

Nanyang Siang Pau and Sin Chew Daily led with government’s decision to increase the monthly cooking oil production to 70,000 tonnes.

Oriental Daily News highlighted the conflict between parents and a private school where around 40 students were dismissed because they did not pass the PMR examinations.

Tamil newspapers

Makkal Osai reported on a call made by a former Selangor MIC strongman P Thirumoorthy for MIC’s ex-deputy president S Subramaniam to form his own party.

The daily also reported on an angry crowd who had protested against MIC Youth leader SA Vigneswaran in Kulim, Kedah on Sunday.

Tamil Nesan reported on Malaysian Indian United Party president S Nallakarupan’s warning to PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim against cheating the Indian community.

The daily also reported on an advice by Samy Vellu to the Indian community not to be taken in by the opposition’s empty promises.

Editorial

New Straits Times commented on the slight decrease in road accidents fatalities and injuries in 2007. It urged for commitment as it believes that there is still a long, bumpy road to safety.

The Sun called for obsolete laws to be reviewed and new legislation enacted to enhance privacy, consumer protection and government accountability. Citing the Chua sex DVD scandal and former deputy premier’s sodomy charges (dismissed on appeal), it urged that laws regarding carnal intercourse and the Internal Security Act be updated.

Utusan Malaysia commented favourably on the Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s official visit to Malaysia, saying that it would enhance ties between the two countries. It also urged that good bilateral relations be maintained, not only by government officials, but by citizens through tourism, trade and other fields.

Berita Harian welcomed the health ministry’s move to amend regulations regarding the handling and charges of private hospitals.

Oriental Daily News urged the government to remove cooking oil subsidy.

Sin Chew Daily also commented on the cooking oil shortage and inflation, urging the government to review cooking oil subsidies.

Nanyang Siang Pau urged all parties not to bring their personal agenda into efforts to reopen the Damansara Chinese school.

Tamil Nesan urged the public not to get panic over the cooking oil shortage, stating that the shortfall in supply was only temporary and that the government would be able to overcome it.