PM: M'sia won't cut ties in order to secure release of 'hostages'
Malaysia will not cut ties with North Korea in order to negotiate the release of Malaysians barred from leaving the republic, said Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
"We are a country friendly to them ... (We will) maintain ties because we have means to negotiate," Najib told reporters in Parliament.
Malaysia will not cut ties with North Korea in order to negotiate the release of Malaysians whom have been barred from leaving the republic, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said today.
"We are a country friendly to them... (We will) maintain ties because we have the means to negotiate," Najib told reporters in Parliament.
He said Malaysia's actions following the alleged murder of Kim Jong-nam at KLIA2 on Feb 13 are reasonable, given the alleged use of nerve agent VX.
"We didn't pick quarrel with them but when a crime has been committed, especially using chemical weapons in Malaysia, we are duty bound to protect the interest of Malaysians," the prime minister said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (photo) said Wisma Putra would be negotiating with the North Korean delegation that is in Kuala Lumpur on the Jong-nam matter.
"Their delegation is in town. They have not gone back to Pyongyang yet. Wisma Putra will be discussing with them to resolve the matters amicably...
"We believe it is important for us to maintain our diplomatic relationship with them.
"What's important is the security of our citizens in Pyonyang and I think they are also concerned about the safety of their citizens here," Zahid told reporters at the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka building.
Pyongyang yesterday barred Malaysians from leaving the republic, after North Korean envoy to Malaysia Kang Chol was expelled.
In response, Najib instructed police to bar all North Koreans from leaving Malaysia.
There are 11 Malaysians in North Korea, including three embassy staff, two United Nations officers and their family members.
The Home Ministry yesterday ordered police to seal the North Korean embassy to do a head count of the staff there, but an officer was later in the afternoon allowed to leave in a car with a diplomatic number plate.
There are at least 170 North Koreans in Malaysia, most of them working in mines in Sarawak.
The National Security Council yesterday convened an emergency meeting on the Malaysians "held hostage" in North Korea.
