20/01/2026

TUESDAY | JAN 20, 2026

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Vietnam’s Communist Party begins congress

o Delegates will select country’s leader

investors while stoking concerns about favouritism and waste. In a country that allows no opposition, Lam has presided over a strengthening of the security forces and a tightening of controls over media and other critical voices. The congress’ delegates represent 5.6 million party members in a country of 100 million. Under tight security – mobile phones will be jammed in the Hanoi building where the congress will take place and delegates, including those from Hanoi, are required to stay in designated accommodation – they will also refine the text of a resolution to be approved by the end of the congress, which is scheduled to wrap up on Jan 25. A party draft released in October on the party’s website suggests the final text will prioritise security and ambitious growth, targeting at least 10% annually over the next five years, from the 6.5% to 7.0% target that was missed in the first half of the decade. The draft mentions security dozens of times and highlights the importance of diplomacy and defence in a “more dangerous” world. The party intends to increase its defence forces, especially in border areas, the draft text says. Environmental protection, which has been increasingly debated recently in the heavily polluted country, has also gained prominence, according to Politburo member Nguyen Xuan Thang. – Reuters

to officials, although surprises cannot be ruled out, while the decision about the presidency is expected to be made at a later meeting where the outcome is even less clear. After the congress, the Politburo will nominate the heads of state, government and Parliament. Parliamentary elections will take place only after leaders are chosen by the party. Lam, 68, has launched several major reforms during his brief tenure as party chief, the country’s most powerful job. He ascended to the position following the death of his predecessor, Nguyen Phu Trong, in July 2024. Widely viewed as a risk-taker, Lam introduced the most significant administrative reform in decades when he cut tens of thousands of jobs in an effort to speed up decisions. The impact has yet to be fully assessed as officials adapt, but approval timelines for some investment projects have shortened. That acceleration is tied in part to the scaling back of an anti-corruption drive launched under Trong, an effort that Lam helped lead as public security minister. The campaign, which was meant to combat systemic bribery, at times paralysed government decision-making and led to the downfall of senior figures, including two presidents, clearing Lam’s path to the top. Lam has also launched economic reforms and a burst of infrastructure projects, winning favour with foreign

HANOI: Hundreds of delegates from Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party gathered yesterday under tight security for a congress that will select the single-party country’s top leader and set economic goals for the remainder of the decade. The week-long event, which operates under opaque rules and convenes every five years, could cement and possibly expand power for the party’s general secretary, To Lam, who has launched sweeping bureaucratic reforms at home and become Vietnam’s public face overseas. Later in the week, on an unspecified day, about 1,600 delegates will elect a 200-person Central Committee, which will then pick from a pre-arranged shortlist up to 17 to 19 members of the Politburo from which the general secretary is chosen. Lam is seeking to retain his role and possibly take on the state presidency, which has recently been held by a military leader, officials briefed on the matter said. Lam, photographed smiling in state media as he entered the congress venue yesterday, is expected to address delegates today. The congress is likely to confirm him as general secretary, according

Indians mess with raging bulls at festival MADURAI: A construction A jallikattu participant trying to control a bull during Pongal in Palamedu village on the outskirts of Madurai on Friday. – AFPPIC

into their eyes to provoke panic, or sharpen their horns with glass. There have also been reports of animals being seriously injured or dying during these contests. Organisers deny these accusations, saying strict rules govern the events and insisting jallikattu is an essential part of Tamil culture. Saravanan rejects the claims that it is cruel. “People who don’t understand jallikattu may feel it is hurting the bull” but “I always see the bull as my friend. I never hurt the bull,” he said. He bears more than one scar, but to him the risks are worth the joy and pride of taking part. “I got several injuries during bullfighting,” he said. “I have many marks on my body.” Saravanan follows a strict exercise routine and avoids smoking or drinking to stay fit, training with bulls at least twice a week. Others share his passion, too, including his fiancee who “likes jallikattu fighters”, he said. “This is one of the main reasons for our marriage.” “Compared with some other sports, jallikattu prize pots are modest. “But for a bullfighter, winning ... is a matter of pride,” said Saravanan. – AFP expected to take up the new post next month, barring last-minute changes. Last year, Djiwandono attended at least one central bank monetary policy review as a representative of the finance minister, but did not have a right to vote. The move comes as parliament discusses a Bill with provisions to strengthen the central bank’s role in supporting economic growth. – Reuters

worker by trade, Saravanan B waited all year to celebrate his true passion: daring bare-hands bullfighting that has never gone out of fashion in India’s south. Known as jallikattu , the centuries-old tradition is kept alive at annual harvest festivals in Tamil Nadu state, despite regular injuries and even deaths. To Saravanan, 31, running and wrestling with the bulls is simply a way of life. “I grew up watching it” and developed “an interest in becoming a jallikattu fighter from a very young age”, he said. That fascination has never faded, and at age 18 he joined the ranks of the muscular men he grew up idolising, tackling raging bulls head-on. At the Pongal harvest festival held last week in his village near Tamil Nadu’s Madurai city, Saravanan said he was fighting bulls “purely for my enjoyment” and not for the prize money. “Usually, whatever prize I get, I give it to others,” he said. The event has remained popular even after dozens of people have been killed and hundreds injured over the years, and despite allegations of animal cruelty and repeated legal challenges. Critics claim organisers feed bulls alcohol, throw chilli powder Each member of the bank’s board, comprising a governor and several deputy governors, has a voting right to decide key interest rate levels and determines BI’s policy. Members are usually career central bankers, economists or former executives of commercial banks appointed by the president with parliamentary approval. Domestic media IDNFinancials also reported the appointment, citing a source who said Djiwandono was

Lam (centre) and President Luong Cuong (right) paying their respects at the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum in Hanoi yesterday. – AFPPIC

Prabowo nominates nephew as central bank deputy governor JAKARTA: President Prabowo

replace BI board member Juda Agung, one of the sources said. Djiwandono, Agung, the central bank’s spokesperson, and the chairman of a parliamentary panel overseeing assessments for top central bank leadership did not respond to requests for comment. Prabowo’s spokesperson declined to comment. The bank is set to hold its next monthly monetary policy review later this week.

2029, from about 5% now. Those fears grew after Bank Indonesia unveiled a new burden sharing deal last year to fund some government programmes. Thomas Djiwandono, a deputy finance minister who is a former businessman, will soon face a fit-and proper test by parliament for the new job, said the two sources, who sought anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to media. The US-educated Djiwandono will

Subianto has nominated his nephew to join the central bank’s board of governors, two sources told Reuters, amid growing concern about its independence as the government seeks more support for ambitious economic targets. Investors have worried that independent monetary policymaking in Southeast Asia’s largest economy might be under pressure as Prabowo targets economic growth of 8% by