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

TheSun reported that Penang has joined the ranks of Selangor in the Balkis issue - transferring money from the wives' association for "safekeeping" with Bakti, the federal Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers.

The Star focused its front page on the start of the 12th Parliament, highlighting the swearing-in ceremony yesterday.

New Straits Times opined on its front-page the appointment of Barisan Nasional's Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar as deputy speaker with 157 votes instead of the expected 140 votes (number of BN MPs) proved that the opposition had failed its first solidarity test. The other deputy speaker Ronald Kiandee polled 140 votes while Pakatan Rakyat's Dr Tan Seng Giaw polled 81.

Malay newspapers

Utusan Malaysia reported that Umno president's request that his party should focus on solving the people's problems instead of holding EGMs to discuss the succession issue.

Berita Harian highlighted too Barisan Nasional representatives Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and Ronald Kiandee's appointment as deputy speakers. The paper noted that "even opposition members voted for Wan Junaidi".

Tamil newspapers

All Tamil dailies - Malaysia Nanban, Tamil Nesan and Makkal Osai - reported on Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s call for all parliamentarians to work hard to maintain the people’s trust on them.

Tamil Nesan also reported that MIC information chief M Saravanan denying a report in Malaysia Nanban that he would be contesting for the deputy president’s post in the party elections next year.

Chinese newspapers

Sin Chew Daily frontpaged the differing views of Umno veteran Shahrir Abdul Samad and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail on Malay supremacy.

Shahrir stressed that Malay supremacy should not be given up as it was embedded in the federal constitution. On the other hand, Wan Azizah claimed that the supremacy was just a discourse played up by Umno.

Oriental Daily frontpaged Donald Lim’s call for Ong Ka Ting not to retain his MCA presidency post in the coming party elections as there were capable leaders in the party. Lim even named five potential leaders.

Nanyang Siang Pau highlighted a religious authority's assertions that Quran doesn't obligate new converts to inform their family of their decision to profess Islam.

China Press highlighted Ong Ka Ting’s claim that he can now speak out more freely as a backbencher.

Editorial

New Straits Times said that new MPs should not turn into hot heads who play to the gallery. The 99 newcomers should tread carefully as the all eyes (and live tv) will be on them.

Utusan Malaysia advised the new parliamentarians not to forget the trust placed on them by the electorate and debate issues professionally without resorting to sensitive issues.

Berita Harian said that the quality of the debate will test the credibility of the representatives. The paper also said that wild statements will no longer be accepted as there are more opposition representatives in Parliament this time.

Sin Chew Daily called all new MPs to conduct meaningful debates in Parliament and fulfill their law-making duties.