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

Both the New Straits Times and Star headlined that the BN government has passed the test of confidence as it ‘won' a parliamentary motion on price increase with a ‘convincing' majority. The motion was passed with 129 (BN parliamentarians) for and 78 against. The two Sapp parliamentarians who were to move a no-confidence vote were not present.

Bahasa Malaysia newspapers

Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian also led with the opposition's failure to reject the motion on the price increase in Parliament. This is the second time that the opposition has turned to individual voting, the first being for passage of the Supply (2007) Bill on May 28.

Tamil newspapers

Tamil Nesan, Malaysia Nanban and Makkal Osai also reported on the BN's victory in Parliament.

Malaysia Nanban quoted MIC secretary-general S Subramaniam as saying that the party will decide at its next meeting on the status of Youth wing chief SA Vigneswaran. Party president S Samy Vellu had recently told Vigneswaran to step down from the post as he is over-aged.

Editorial

The New Straits Times comments that the government's various moves to ease the burden of the people in light of rising prices is a starting point to better organise issues and mechanisms in relation to subsidy reductions in the future.

Berita Harian examines the government's move to ease issuance of small business permits to help the lower income group to earn extra income. The paper cautions lower income civil servants not to abandon their day jobs in serving the government. It also alerts these future businessmen to consider risks involved in the times of economic uncertainty.

Utusan Malaysia also comments on the government's move to ease issuance of small business permits. It says the government should substantiate this move by providing training and basic business ethic classes. The paper also warns about ‘black market' issuance of the licences which could result in the government's decision backfiring.

Malaysia Nanban urges Kuala Lumpur City Hall to look into the housing plight of the Kampung Pandan Indian Settlement residents.