Compiled by C. ARUNO, RAZAK AHMAD and R. ARAVINTHAN

       THE continued development of Tamil schools and Tamil vernacular education is a priority for the government, Makkal Osai reported Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon as saying.

       He said he was aware of the importance the Indian community places on Tamil schools and Tamil education which has a 205-year history in Malaysia.

       Dr Mah added that he would give equal importance and consideration to all schools and their right to exist in this country.

       The Ministry was ready to work with administrators and officials on finance and construction with regard to Tamil schools, he said.Dr Mah also said he was happy to assist with any suitable programmes to help improve Tamil schools and Tamil education.

       > A man was killed while his brother was injured in a horrific accident when the motorcycle they were riding collided with a lorry, reported Makkal Osai.

       Vellaisamy Ganesan Thinagaran, 29, and his brother Mathanaruban, 27, were near Mentakab, Pahang, when the accident happened.

       The men were trapped under the lorry before being rescued by passersby.

       The elder brother died at the scene while the younger brother suffered a broken leg.

       The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.