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

Front Page

English newspapers

Star led with the announcement that Thaipusam will be a public holiday in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said this at a gathering organised by the MIC in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, yesterday.

The Sun and New Straits Times picked up on the premier’s promise that a cabinet committee would be formed to tackle hardcore poverty among all races.

Malay newspapers

Berita Harian also highlighted Abdullah’s announcement that the government would work hard to wipe out poverty by 2010.

Utusan Malaysia continued reporting on the case of missing 5-year-old Sharlinie Mohd Nashar. Police have conducted a house-to-house search of more than 10,000 premises.

Tamil newspapers

All the dailies - Malaysia Nanban, Makkal Osai and Tamil Nesan - gave prominence to the gathering of Indian Malaysians yesterday. The dailies welcomed the premier's declaration of a public holiday for Thaipusam in two more locations.

Chinese newspapers

Nanyang Siang Pau led with government’s move to eradicate hardcore poverty by 2010.

Oriental Daily News reported that MCA president Ong Ka Ting has confirmed that Chew Mei Fun , the parliamentary secretary to the women, family and community development ministry, will defend the Petaling Jaya Utara parliamentary seat. He also hinted that the SRJK(C) Damansara school may be re-opened to gain the local community’s support.

Sin Chew Daily front-page report was that the Bar Council has compiled details of cases that involve senior lawyer VK Lingam, for submission to the royal commission. The list includes the MGG Pillai v Vincent Tan and Insas Berhad & anor. v Ayer Molek Rubber Company Bhd & Ors cases.

Editorial

New Straits Times urged the government to institutionalise the contingency plans for handling of disasters as a standard operating procedure, in tackling the effects of climate change.

Berita Harian commented that Proton has regained strength, based on public demand for the new Proton Saga and earlier Persona models, although it faces tough competition from Korean-made cars.

Referring to the delay in constructing the Penang second bridge project, Utusan Malaysia urged the government to solve the problems faced by fishermen. This would prevent opposition parties from using the issue for political mileage.

Nanyang Siang Pau discussed the government proposal to reduce the number of foreign workers in Malaysia.

Sin Chew Daily is of the view that police negligence is the main reason why detainees manage to escape so frequently.