Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Malaysian leaders would remain rational in facing the tension with North Korea.

By doing so, Zahid said, he and other government leaders hoped to avoid further provocation on both sides.

He urged Malaysians to be united for the sake of security and peace in the country.

"The people must stay united regardless of political differences, religion or race for the sake of security and to ensure that our country remains peaceful," he said.

Zahid said this while opening the Terengganu Umno branch-level cluster conference in Kuala Terengganu today.

Nine Malaysians who are attached with the Malaysian Embassy in Pyongyang, together with their families are still in North Korea after being barred from leaving the country.

Malaysia reacted by imposing the same restrictions on North Koreans living in the country.

The row ignited following disagreements over certain issues in regard to the remains of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's brother Kim Jong-nam, who was murdered at KLIA2 on Feb 13.

- Bernama