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 headlined compulsory AIDS tests for Muslims in all states effective next year as part of pre-marital course.

The Star led with the government's nod for privatisation of the National Heart Institute (IJN) by Sime Darby Bhd.

Bahasa Malaysia newspapers

Berita Harian also led with compulsory pre-marital AIDS tests effective from 2009.

Utusan Malaysia headlined the green light for IJN's privatization. The government wants assurance that medical fee will be affordable for the poor.

Chinese newspapers

Sin Chew Daily front-paged its exclusive interview with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Nanyang Siang Pau led with Jerit cyclists' campaign which ended in Parliament.

Oriental Daily reported on the rescue mission undertaken by the Royal Malaysian Navy in helping Chinese sailors beat off Somalian pirates.

Chinese Press headlined that married women had become Hiv/AIDS victims following their husbands' unsafe sex behaviour.

All the dailies also reported on the controversy caused by the IJN privatisation plan.

Tamil newspapers

Makkal Osai and Malaysia Nanban headlined the murder of M Gunasekaran, a prominent businessman involved in money lending in Segamat.

Tamil Nesan frontpaged MIC's call for the teaching of Mathematics and Science to be taught in mother tongue language.

Editorial

The New Straits Times opined on the reform bills passed recently in Parliament. Although passed in a short period of time, it wrote that the rather civilized behaviour of the MPs during the debates on both the opposition and the government accentuated the need for such reforms.

Berita Harian commented on the Malaysian Cooperative Commission's action taken on three small government cooperative's pyramid scheme scam.

Makkal Osai questioned the reasons for the government to allow Sime Darby group to buy over national heart institute.

Malaysia Nanban urged the authorities to curb samsu production following an increase in its consumption.

Tamil Nesan praised MIC's stand regarding the teaching of Mathematics and Science in mother tongue language.

Oriental Daily commented on the Educity project in Iskandar Economic Zone.

Nanyang observed Prime Minister Abdullah's speed in carrying out his political reforms before leaving office next March.