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, The Star and The Sun all started with Umno wanita deputy chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil’s decision to go challenge Rafidah Aziz for the wing’s leadership in party election in March.

The announcement ended months of speculation - even with a mutually agreed power transition plan. The plan was for Rafidah to stay unopposed, but passing the job to Shahrizat in June 2009, three months after party assembly.

Malay newspapers

Both Utusan Melayu and Berita Harian also led with Shahrizat’s - showing the widening crisis in wanita.

Tamil newspapers

Makkal Osai led with a news that MIC president S Samy Vellu yesterday had barred reporters from covering the party's central committee meeting.

The daily also said that the party's presidential election - slated for next March - could be postponed.

Malaysia Nanban reported, among others, on the intense fighting in Sri Lanka between the army and the LTTE.

Tamil Nesan led with a press conference by recently freed Abdullah Razak Baginda on the Altantuya murder case.

All three news also reported on Sharizat Abdul Jalil's decision to contest for the Wanita Umno chief post against Rafidah Aziz.

Editorial

The New Straits Times believes that Unesco’s decision to landmark Georgetown and Melaka as world heritage sites is neither a political nor marketing gimmick - but to recognise their true historical value.

Berita Harian feels that the "immigrant race" should respect the rights of the Bumiputeras and quoted the Prince of Perak Raja Nazrin Shah’s speech that highlighted the need for other races to respect the tradition of the locals.

Makkal Osai raised a question if it was necessary for MIC president S Samy Vellu to have barred journalists from the party's committee meeting yesterday.

Malaysia Nanban commented on the award of Datukship to Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, stating that many deserving Malaysians too should be similarly rewarded.