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, The Sun and Star led with election updates.

Another Barisan Nasional candidate in Sarawak, Wahab Dolah won the Igan parliamentary seat uncontested after Independent Junak Jawek withdrew.

The NST also reported that PKR candidate for the Kunak state seat, Bedu Kudusa, has lodged a police report disputing the gender of BN rival Nilwan Kabang.

Malay newspapers

Berita Harian led with BN deputy head Najib Abdul Razak describing the manifestos of opposition parties as unrealistic and only as a tactic to buy votes.

Utusan Malaysia front-paged BN head Abdullah Ahmad Badawi asking for a fresh mandate to ensure the continuity of national development.

Chinese newspapers

Nanyang Siang Pau reported that the BN is confident about taking back Kelantan; that MIC head S Samy Vellu had to be escorted away from a crowd; and that four seats in Kedah are in danger of falling to the opposition.

Oriental Daily News highlighted the emphasis on crime-reduction in the party manifestos, as well as a police warning to candidates to comply with rules in the interests of public safety.

Sin Chew Jit Poh quoted BN deputy head Najib as saying the coalition requires a two-thirds majority in order to sustain economic growth. DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang has a more modest target - four parliamentary and five state seats.

Editorials

New Straits Times cast doubt on opposition pledges in their manifesto.

The Sun said the BN will have to fulfil its pledges, especially on anti-corruption, for the sake of its own credibility.

Utusan Malaysia commented on opposition manifestos, calling these rhetorical and saying that voter are smart enough to judge which parties can deliver promises.

Berita Harian commented on speculation of a hike in fuel prices after the elections, saying such talk could influence voters against the BN.

Oriental Daily News commented that election results are predictable except in some ‘hot’ seats.

Nanyang Siang Pau claimed that voters will spend less time on party manifestos and more time judging the performance of politicians. Common issues also signal a desperate desire for change in both the opposition and BN parties.

Sin Chew Jit Poh urged political parties to deliver their promises.