KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia condemns any decision or action by North Korea in relation to the launch of a rocket as it may threaten regional stability, said Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman.
He said the country's action to proceed with the launch had violated international law.
"The North Korean regime's action is regrettable and unacceptable and may complicate efforts to find a resolution to ease tensions in the Korean Peninsula."
Anifah said the government hoped that North Korea would "exercise utmost restraint and not undertake actions that would worsen the situation in the region".
Despite international warnings, North Korea went ahead with what it said was a launch to put a peaceful satellite into orbit, drawing condemnation from world leaders.
Yesterday, however, saw North Korea's failure to launch the long-range rocket as it disintegrated mid-air and plunged into the sea soon after lift-off.
According to an AFP report, several hours after the rocket exploded over the Yellow Sea, North Korea admitted the satellite had failed to enter orbit.
The preparations for the launch had triggered regional alarm.
Tokyo deployed missile defence systems to intercept and destroy the rocket if it looked set to fall on Japan, and flights were diverted to avoid being in the Pacific area, where debris from the rocket was expected to fall.
North Korea said it had every right to send the satellite up to mark Sunday's centenary of the birth of its founding leader, Kim Il-Sung.
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