The attorney-general on Tuesday closed all investigations of Najib, after reviewing reports from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on a case that involved the transfer of $681 million into the prime minister’s personal bank account.

Najib has consistently denied any wrongdoing, saying the funds were a political donation and he did not take any money for personal gain. After he was cleared of any offences by the country’s chief law officer on Tuesday, he said the scandal hadbeen “an unnecessary distraction”.

A source at the MACC told Reuters that, when it handed its findings to the attorney-general last month, the agency had recommended that Najib be charged with criminal misappropriation. The source did not specify the grounds or the legal basis for the MACC’s recommendation.

“It’s a pretty straightforward case. We had made recommendations for charges to be filed that the attorney-general has instead chosen to reject,” said the source, who declined to be identified or to elaborate on the MACC’s findings.

The attorney-general’s office declined to comment. Najib’s office said it had no immediate comment.

The MACC said it would not comment on whether it made any recommendation to charge the prime minister.

In a statement on Wednesday, the agency said it would seek a review of the attorney general’s decision to close the investigations, but declined to make any further public comment on his findings.

Najib has been buffeted for months by allegations of graft at the debt-laden state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB)and by revelations of the transfer of funds, adding to a sense of crisis in a country under economic duress from slumping oil prices and a sliding currency.

– Reuters

Tin said they faced a lot of difficulty in accomplishing the project because it took place at the same time as examinations. In addition to putting in long hours and staying up late, a number of spare parts they needed weren’t available on the market.

Tin and his friends had to share the costs of building the machine, which totaled about VND4 million (USVND3,968,510).

The first condom machine has been placed in front of the office of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union located at 180 Hoang Dieu Street, Hai Chau District.

Tin said a condom is dispensed into a tray at the push of a button. A screen displays the number of condoms in stock and a small slot for cash donations.

The machine will track the number of condoms dispensed for statistical purposes, Tin said, adding that it also sends a text message to the creators whenever it runs out of condoms.

Up to 20 condoms have been distributed every day since the condom dispenser was installed on December 31, he said.

People often come up to receive condoms between 9.30pm and 5am the following day, he said.

“Our biggest challenge is that we don’t have enough funding to make more condom dispensers, nor donations to help maintain the machine’s operation,” Tin said.

He expected that they would get support from the Government or organisations in the future to better serve those who were in need.

As soon as the image of the condom dispenser spread on social media, it immediately caught the attention of local residents. Many people praised the students’ initiative, which was simple but creative. They said it showed young people’s awareness of safe sex.

Nguyen Thi Xuan, head of Da Nang City’s Department of Population and Family Planning, said that while automatic condom machines are common in many countries, the students’ machine is the first of its kind in Vietnam.

“This is a good idea that helps the youth learn how to protect themselves, control STDs and prevent unplanned pregnancies,” she told Gia dinh va Xa hoi (Family and Society) newspaper.

Xuan said the department has provided 2,000 condoms to support the students’ work.

If the machine proves to be effective, the department will work with the students to install similar ones near fishing harbours or markets in coastal areas, she said.

Nguyen Phu Trong, who stays party chief, pledged to maintain a pro-growth status quo that balances foreign ties and cements a consensus leadership that analysts say was strained by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s assertiveness in the latter years of his administration.

Trong, 71, said he was a reluctant leader of a party that would move Vietnam towards modernisation.

“My age is high, health is limited, knowledge is limited. I asked to step down, but because of the responsibility assigned by the party I have to perform my duty,” Trong told reporters.

“I’m also worried because the upcoming work is heavy.”

The 19-member politburo contains conservative and progressive elements, although uncertainty hangs over the outlook for economic reforms rolled out at an unusually fast rate under Dung, whose exit has caused some jitters.

Those might be assuaged by the inclusion of Nguyen Van Binh,the governor of a central bank praised for its stable monetary policy and tackling of bad debt that swamped a beleaguered banking sector.

Joining him is U.S.-educated foreign minister and Dung’s deputy, Pham Binh Minh, seen by some experts as a signal of the party’s pursuit of even ties between competing superpowers China and United States.

Fred Burke, a board member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam and managing partner at law firm Baker & McKenzie,said the lineup was reassuring for business and would pick up where Dung left off.

“It’s positive,” he said. “It’s continuity, but continuity with a 21st century bent, a professional bent, with people whoare pragmatists who want to roll up their sleeves and get on with it.”

Vietnam-U.S. relations have warmed dramatically as tensions between Communist neighbours Hanoi and Beijing have increased over South China Sea sovereignty.

While Trong has been less critical of China’s expansionism,Dung was the party’s strongest voice in denouncing Beijing andwas credited with Vietnam’s smooth accession to a U.S.-ledTrans-Pacific Partnership.

Trong was the politburo’s sole candidate for party chief,running unopposed despite rumours of a fierce showdown with Dung for the top post.

Adding some personality to a traditionally arcane politburois Dinh La Thang, a media-savvy transport minister who has wonpopularity for brash comments, rebukes of officials and Facebookaccounts carrying his name.

The politburo retains an authoritarian streak, however, withfour members hailing from a police force criticised by rightsgroups for crushing the party’s detractors.

Nominations for president, prime minister and legislativechair were included. They are Tran Dai Quang, Nguyen Xuan Phucand Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, respectively.//Reuters

High-ranking leaders and delegates at all levels have exchanged visits, while the two Asean member countries have also extended mutual support in the regional and international arenas.

The ministers briefed each other on their political and security situations, socio-economic development and foreign affairs matters in their respective countries.

Laos and Indonesia are both members of Asean, the 10-member regional bloc which Laos chairs this year.

The ministers discussed ways to deepen and broaden relations and cooperation between Laos and Indonesia, which has the largest economy in Asean.

Both sides agreed to hold the 5th Laos-Indonesia Joint Cooperation Commission meeting in the near future, to be hosted by Indonesia.

The Lao minister said it was essential for the two countries to provide further mutual assistance, and support and broaden their cooperation to contribute to efforts towards achieving the goals set under the three pillars of the Asean Community.

The Asean Community was officially established on December 31, 2015.

The three pillars are the Political-Security Community, the Economic Community, and the Socio-Cultural Community.

The two ministers expressed their satisfaction over the long-standing friendly relations between their two nations and peoples.

Marsudi and her delegation are scheduled to call on Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong today.

An integrated social hub would provide a one-stop location for the elderly to meet others, take part in activities and receive opportunities for training, employment or volunteering, she said.

These hubs could be located in community clubs and house voluntary welfare organisations, while social service offices and constituency offices can coordinate resources accordingly, she added.

Ms Joan Pereira (Tanjong Pagar GRC) made a similar call for such centres, and asked for a community agency to oversee such efforts and ensure their sustainability.

She also said the Government should set up a website so that interested retired professionals have an avenue through which to volunteer their time and expertise.

“Having a central system that can tap on their services would help them occupy their time and keep in touch with society while saving money and manpower for the relevant party,” she said .

She also urged town councils to link alarms in rental flats occupied by the elderly to a 24-hour emergency medical service unit. This can ensure that help is available for vulnerable seniors at all times.

Such systems are now monitored by a Housing Board Senior Activity Centre in the daytime, and by neighbours in the evening.

Chee Hong Tat (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC) said the issue of an ageing population is, in fact, an opportunity for different sectors to come together and think up new solutions.

Chee, who is Minister of State (Health), said his ministry was working with architects and community leaders to create a senior- friendly environment at Kampung Admiralty. If successful, these ideas can be implemented in other estates and also exported overseas to grow the economy.

While its surface is round, its bottom has an ellipse shape, making it different from other bronze drums that have been unearthed before. According to experts, this unusual shape of the drum requires a thorough study to determine if it is original or caused by natural reasons.

Under the approval of the local authorities, the ancient drum is being preserved in Dien Bien Museum while its cultural and historical values are clarified. A document about the drum will be compiled in a report to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports.

Article 27 (3) stipulates criminal punishment for anyone purposely and without authority distributing and/ or transmitting and/or making electronic information and/or electronic documents with libellous and/or defaming content accessible to the public.

It is further stated in Article 45 (2) that violations of the regulation are punishable with imprisonment of up to six-years and a fine of up to Rp 1 billion (US$72,000).

“It is almost certain that criminalization of internet users will continue in 2016,” said Firdaus.

Yayasan Satu Dunia is an NGO concerned with the openness of information, communication, knowledge and technology for civil societies in Indonesia.

Firdaus said the libel article in the 2008 law caused fear among internet users to criticize the government and Indonesian business power, adding that the internet was a powerful medium of social control.

He claimed it was likely that disciplining democracy in cyberspace was part of the main paradigm of the Jokowi administration to create political conditions that were conducive for investment. This could be seen from a recent statement of Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Panjaitan, who had said that social media had to be disciplined for the sake of national interests.

Gadjah Mada University communication expert Wisnu Martha Adiputra said the libel article had to be removed as it contradicted the 1945 Constitution, which guarantees the freedom of speech and expression.

Wisnu, who is also a researcher at the media regulator, said the ITE Law also failed to protect private data of consumers making transactions via the internet.

In its 2015 year-end report, the Alliance of Indonesian Journalists (AJI) named the ITE Law as one of the obstacles to press freedom in Indonesia, because under the law, online media accused of libellous articles could be brought to justice.

Since the ITE Law was passed in 2008, the number of victims of the libel article in the law has continued to rise. According to Safe Net data, the number of libel cases reached 62 in 2015, sharply increasing from only two cases in 2008.

“We further call on the government to establish a system for the rehabilitation and reintegration of former political prisoners into society. The European Union and its member states stand ready to assist in this endeavour,” it noted.