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 and The Sun front-paged the prime minister’s alarm that violent crimes had increased by 13.4 percent. The prime minister was briefed on the crime index yesterday at Bukit Aman. Among the remedies proposed by the police are installing more CCTV cameras, setting up more police stations, fast-tracking recruitment and increasing patrols.

New Straits Times also reported that politicians and corporate big-wigs have been arming themselves with detectors to locate hidden cameras, following Health Minister Dr Chua Soi Lek’s sex DVD scandal.

The Star reported that owners of buildings in crime-prone areas will be required to install CCTV cameras linked to police control centres.

Malay newspapers

Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian front-paged the prime minister’s concern about the increase in crime and proposals to redress the situation.

Utusan Malaysia reported the deputy prime minister’s announcement that foreign workers are not permitted to handle customer service in all airports including the KLIA.

Berita Harian reported that subsidised cooking oil would no longer be sent to tax-free zones at the borders, in order to curb smuggling and prevent purchases by non-citizens.

Another report was that the Anti-Corruption Agency had recorded statements from 10 employees of National Padi and Rice Bhd (Bernas), the agriculture and agro-based industry ministry, and customs department in relation to the import of 25,000 tonnes of fragrant rice from Thailand without permit.

Chinese newspapers

Sin Chew Daily and Oriental Daily News also both led with the prime minister’s suggestions to fight the increasing crime level by recruiting more police personnel and compelling private property owners to install CCTVs.

Nanyang Siang Pau reported that the shortage of cooking oil will be solved soon with increased production on the way. Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Shafie Apdal assured that cooking oil will be available again in hypermarkets.

Tamil newspapers

Tamil Nesan reported on a plot by the supporters of Hindu Rights Action Force to ensure the defeat of all MIC representatives in the coming general election. The plot was revealed by MIC Youth chief SA Vigneswaran who said that the party was capable of defeating the plan.

Makkal Osai reported on the opening of a conference of the Indian diaspora in New Delhi yesterday. MIC president S Samy Vellu is leading a large contingent of Indian Malaysians to the conference.

Editorial

New Straits Times suggested that price controls for food commodities be abolished because it is an inadequate way of curbing inflation.

The Sun urged the education ministry to put a stop to ambiguity in school fees by ensuring that only charges endorsed at PTA annual general meetings be approved. It also urged parents to attend PTA meetings to ensure the proper management of the schools.

Utusan Malaysia called on relevant parties to identify food-commodity shortages and implement long-term plans to ensure that it is not repeated.

Berita Harian commented that there should not be a cooking oil shortage. It also urged the authorities to increase border surveillance to crack down on smuggling.

Makkal Osai commented on the shortage of cooking oil, advising consumers not to hoard or to panic.

Tamil Nesan remarked that ties between Malaysia and India would be strengthened by a defence tie-up which was agreed upon recently.

Nanyang Siang Pau said the education ministry should work together with the PIBG to find the best solution in collecting additional school payments without burdening the parents.

Sin Chew Daily also discussed the additional payment in schools issue, saying that the payment should be reasonable and the government should have a long term solution to the issue.