DAP motion on N Korea rejected due to security reasons

A DAP motion to debate the diplomatic row between Malaysia and North Korea has been rejected due to security reasons.

In a statement, Batu Gajah MP V Sivakumar quoted Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia as saying there was a need for Malaysia to maintain diplomatic communication channels with North Korea to ensure that Malaysians there are safe.

Sivakumar also quoted the speaker as saying there were concerns that actions contrary to such efforts would make resolving the crisis more difficult.

Eleven Malaysians were initially stranded when North Korea imposed a travel ban, but two of them, who work with the United Nations, were allowed to leave today.

The travel ban by Pyongyang followed the expulsion of its ambassador to Malaysia for making critical remarks about the probe into the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's estranged half brother, Kim Jong-nam.

Sivakumar said he accepted Pandikar's decision, but hoped the government would solve the matter as soon as possible.

He also hoped the government would keep lawmakers updated on the issue.

Previously, DAP proposed a “peace-making” mission, comprising government and opposition lawmakers, to help secure the release of the Malaysians trapped in North Korea.- Mkini