Interpol

Foreign affairs minister Ralph Regenvanu told The Daily Post that joining Interpol would allow the Financial Intelligence Unit to carry out better checks, particularly when people are seeking to buy citizenship.

Mr Regenvanu said currently, the unit was able to pick up financial irregularities, but criminal convictions remained unknown.

He also said joining Interpol would strengthen Vanuatu's ability to cooperate with international law enforcement agencies in order to tackle transnational crime syndicates.

Prime Minister Najib Razak said a coroner had approved the release of Kim Jong-nam's body.

Mr Kim was murdered at Kuala Lumpur airport with a lethal nerve agent last month.

The assassination led to a major diplomatic dispute between Malaysia and North Korea.

Malaysia has not directly blamed North Korea for the killing, but there is widespread suspicion that Pyongyang was responsible.

Meanwhile, nine Malaysians who had been barred from leaving North Korea returned to Malaysia early on Friday. They include three embassy staff and six family members.

Speaking to reporters, Malaysian Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said police had also formally requested an interview with the North Korean embassy'ssecond secretary, who is wanted for questioning.