PRESS DIGEST - Malaysia - Dec 24

Following are the main stories in Malaysian newspapers. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

THE STAR

- In three months' time, the government will introduce a new syllabus designed to produce safer and more responsible drivers, said Malaysian Institute for Road Safety and Research Director-General, Radin Umar Radin Sohadi.

- Construction of the 977 million ringgit Eastern Dispersal Link Expressway in Johor will likely start first quarter next year.

NEW STRAITS TIMES

- The state Barisan Nasional has always adopted a cautious approach when it comes to general elections because Penang has always been hotly contested, said Penang Chief Minister Koh Tsu Koon.

BUSINESS TIMES

- Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Plc, a London-listed firm which operates more than 112 hotels in over 18 countries, may launch a billion-ringgit property trust in Malaysia comprising local and foreign properties, its chief operating officer, Michael Sengol, said.

- Suria KLCC saw a total of 46 million people spending some two billion ringgit worth at the mall this past year, Suria KLCC Sdn Bhd's chief executive, Andrew Brien, said.

THE SUN

- Gerakan has acted swiftly by instituting disciplinary action against its youth vice-chief S. Paranjothy for a statement criticising UMNO and the government for their treatment of Indians in the country, party Acting President Koh Tsu Koon said.

- Airlines must not be discriminated through different passenger service charges and should be given the option to operate from airports that they prefer, said International Air Transport Association Director-General, Giovanni Bisignani.

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