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

The New Straits Times and the Star featured the announcement by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that there will be no more fuel hikes this year and that civil servants will be paid twice a month effectively in August.

The Sun led with Abdullah's statement that there was no need for an inquiry into allegations of executive interference into the judiciary made by Sabah and Sarawak High Court judge Ian Chin.

Bahasa Malaysia newspapers

Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian headlined Abdullah's statement that there will not be any more fuel hike this year.

Utusan also featured restaurant owner Khalid Ahmad who charges RM2 for any meal ordered by his customers in Kedah and will not increase the amount despite the inflation the country is going through. It reported that the government has to fork out RM5 billion this year as rebates to vehicle owners.

Berita Harian also wrote that post offices will be open on Saturdays to deal with the rebate claims by the public.

Chinese newspapers

Sin Chew Daily, Nanyang Siang Pau, China Press and Oriental Daily frontpaged the prime minister Abdullah's announcement that there will be no more petrol price hike for this year.

China Press also led with the 18 percent increase of tyre price and 20 percent increase of the tyre service cost.

Tamil newspapers

Makkal Osai led with Malaysia Hindu Sangam's angry response to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall's actions in demolishing a temple in Sentul on Tuesday.

Tamil Nesan had MIC president S Samy Vellu saying that anyone can challenge him for the party post at the party's election next year.

And in Malaysia Nanban , Samy Vellu is quoted as saying that he will be defending his post and would let the delegates determine his fate.

Editorial

New Straits Times said that it was time for MCA to move on from its internal party struggle to efforts in uniting the party.

Berita Harian opined that the federal government has never marginalised Sabah and Sarawak.

Nanyang Siang Pau paid tribute to judges who were brave and independent in hearing cases, with specifically referring to Sabah and Sarawak High Court judge Ian Chin who revealed the executive intervention into the judiciary some 10 years ago.

Sin Chew Daily urged the government to completely reform public transport system as soon as possible.

Malaysia Nanban welcomed a RM100 million fund that was proposed by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department T Murugiah for the maintenance and upkeep of all 523 Tamil schools in the country.

Makkal Osai also similarly hoped that Murugiah's proposal will be implemented soon.