Malaysia should seek China’s assistance in mediating its dispute with North Korea and seek the release of Malaysian citizens held in the hermit state, PAS says.

Its deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said this would take advantage of the warm relations between Malaysia and China - following Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s visits to China - to ensure a speedy and peaceful resolution to the dispute.

“God willing, this diplomatic approach will lead to a peaceful resolution,” Tuan Ibrahim said in a statement today.

On Tuesday, North Korea imposed a temporary ban that prevents all 11 Malaysians in the country from leaving, although they may otherwise conduct business as usual. This comprises three Malaysian embassy staff, two UN workers and their families.

The ban will be in place until the issue of Kim Jong-nam’s murder on Feb 13 is resolved. North Korea had been seeking the return of the body, but Malaysia has refused to do so to anyone except the deceased's next-of-kin, citing protocol. However, no one has come forward to claim the body.

The travel ban followed the expulsion of the North Korean ambassador Kang Chol from Malaysia, following his repeated remarks expressing doubt over the Malaysian investigation into the murder, and his refusal to attend when summoned by Wisma Putra to explain his statements.

And in a tit-for-tat move, Najib announced a ban on all North Koreans in Malaysia from leaving the country. However, he said, Malaysia would not completely sever ties with North Korea, to ensure that negotiations could continue.

In the escalating row, several experts have suggested that North Korea’s neighbour China would be a suitable mediator, since neither North Korea and Malaysia now has an ambassador in each other’s country, and China has close relations with both these countries.

However, others have warned that North Korea and China are having a chill in relations as well, after the Pyongyang fired four ballistic missiles into the sea near Japan on Monday.

'Government's actions are right'

Meanwhile, Tuan Ibrahim praised the Malaysian government’s actions against North Korea as the right move. He also called for solidarity in assisting the families of the trapped Malaysians and in resolving the dispute.

“There is nothing new in North Korea’s disregard for other countries and actions that are contrary to international norms, and it has to be remembered that it is not Malaysia that created this crisis following the death of Kim Jong-nam.

“Therefore, the government’s steadfastness in face of provocations from North Korea to protect national sovereignty and prioritising the safety of its people is the right move,” Tuan Ibrahim said.

Meanwhile, PAS' splinter party Amanah suggested that Malaysia seeks the help of Norway to resolve the dispute with North Korea. 

Its deputy president Salahuddin Ayub said in a statement that Norway has the "prestige and the proven diplomatic capacity" to be the mediator.

"Choosing Norway as the mediating party is the safest bet (for Malaysia) as it would help us from being drawn into political games between the world's superpowers.

"It is difficult for (Malaysia) to act alone in this matter. We have to carefully study and choose the best available options to overcome the challenges, while preserving the country's interests, as well as ensuring the safety of Malaysians trapped in North Korea," Amanah said in a statement.