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 Star front-paged the search for five-year-old Sharlinie Mohd Nashar who went missing in Taman Medan, Selangor since Wednesday. A police task force has been set up to comb the nation and the borders to recover the girl who is believed to be abducted.

New Straits Times also briefly headlined AirAsia set to fly the KL-Singapore route beginning Feb 1.

The Star also led with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s arrival in Malaysia yesterday for a three-day visit.

The Sun front-paged Gerakan adviser Dr Lim Keng Yaik expressing his confidence that Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon is the best candidate to lead Penang and should contest a state seat rather than a parliamentary seat in the coming elections.

Malay newspapers

Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian also led with the nationwide search for missing child Sharlinie.

According to Utusan Malaysia, police have denied that this case was related to the past abductions in the Klang Valley.

Berita Harian also front-paged a photofit of the man suspected of kidnapping Sharlinie and a plea from her parents to return their child unharmed.

Both Malay dailies also reported the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s call to Malaysians to prioritise unity and understanding in maintaining peace.

Chinese newspapers

Oriental Daily News led with the internal trade and consumer affairs ministry’s decision to waive copyright royalties of Chinese New Year songs during the festive season.

Sin Chew Daily reported the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board’s warning to school bus operators not to increase bus fares or their licenses will be revoked.

Nanyang Siang Pau led with the end of cooking oil rationing.

Tamil newspapers

Tamil Nesan reported on MIC president S Samy Vellu’s cordial meeting with the Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh yesterday.

Makkal Osai led with a story on the continuing confusion if there is a freeze on the intake of Indian workers.

Editorial

New Straits Times commented on the recent child abductions saying that prevention was always better than cure. It urged that children be taught skills to prevent abductions by learning to sense danger and how to react should a kidnap be attempted.

The Sun lauded the education ministry’s decision to overturn co-ed school SMK Senawang, Seremban’s move to segregate male and female students. It urged that children be instilled with principles of gender equality and mutual respect instead.

Berita Harian urged people to play their part in preventing crime by reporting any curious incidents. It also lauded the government’s decision to increase the number of police officers and make compulsory the installing of CCTVs in crime prone buildings.

Sin Chew Daily and Nanyang Siang Pau commented on Malaysia and Indonesia’s bilateral relationship in view of the Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s arrival for a three-day visit.