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 headlined further government efforts to counter the increase in prices. Among those steps were to ease issuance of small business permits to help the low income group to earn extra income. Other measures include charging foreigners with market price fuel.

The Star led with an image of parliamentarians listening to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi during a three-hour briefing, urging all MPs to support the motion on price increase to be raised in Parliament today.

Bahasa Malaysia newspapers

Both Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian headlined the government effort to ease issuance of small business permits for low income group - including civil servants - to earn extra income in light of rising prices.

Tamil newspapers

Tamil Nesan reported on a protest by Kampung Perapat residents in Kapar over their forced eviction.

The daily also quoted Hindraf coordinator R Thanendran in labelling former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad as the enemy of the Indian community.

Makkal Osai reported on another protest by residents over forced eviction - this one from the Indian Settlement in Kampung Pandan, Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia Nanban reported on both the protests in Kapar and Kampung Pandan.

Chinese newspapers

Oriental Daily News frontpaged an open difference of opinion between Chinese educationalists led by Dong Zong President Yap Sin Tian and CEO of New Era College Kua Kia Soong respectively during a meeting yesterday.

China Press highlighted the prime minister's decision to extend petrol and diesel subsidy for 4WD vehicles with 3000cc and below in Sabah and Sarawak.

Sin Chew Daily frontpaged PM's announcement that separate oil pumps with international market prices will be set up for foreign vehicles at border towns.

Nanyang Siang Pau led with PM Abdullah warning Sapp of disobeying the BN by taking part in no-confidence motion in Parliament today.

Editorial

New Straits Times commented on Bentayan's DAP assemblyman who was asked to leave the Johor state legislature for failure to don the ceremonial attire. Although he insisted that what he wore "did not matter," the paper defended ceremonial dress codes, citing that there were dress codes all over the world for various occasions and "those who do not abide by rules should be thrown out".

Berita Harian opined on the 17 percent salary increase - highest in 10 years - for bank employees, a move negotiated by National Union of Bank Employees (Nube) and Malaysia Chartered Bank Association (MCBA).

The paper hoped that the people will not have to shoulder additional operational costs in light of the salary increase.

Utusan Malaysia commented on the dwindling strength of the Malay race. It said the race should pick itself up and work hard towards closing the economic gap or "face demise of the race in its own land".

Malaysia Nanban said that it was time the police force cleaned up its acts and started treating detainees with proper dignity. The daily were responding to a recent complaint from five men that they were physically and sexually abused while under detention.

Nanyang Siang Pau claimed that Sapp's no-confidence motion was a clever political move for the party.

China Press called on all MPs to uphold people's rights and to take care of the people's needs and not to support any motions in the Parliament for the sake of supporting them.

Sin Chew Daily urged Pakatan Rakyat to concentrate in their administration of respective states, and not to hurry in taking over the federal government by buying over BN MPs.