KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman today took North Korean ambassador to Malaysia, Kang Chol, to task for suggesting that Malaysia is in collusion with a foreign government in its investigation into the murder of Kim Jong-nam.
Anifah cited a press conference organised by the ambassador, which also saw a press release issued containing a list of allegations related to the probe into the death of the half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
“These allegations, culled from delusions, lies and half-truths, are the basis from which the ambassador concluded that “there could be someone else’s hand behind the investigation”, and that the “investigation by the Malaysian police is not for the clarification of the cause of the death and search of the suspect, but it is out of the political aim”,” said Anifah.
In a hard-hitting statement tonight, Anifah said, when the North Korean ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Ministry in Putrajaya earlier today, it was emphasised by the Deputy Secretary-General for Bilateral Affairs that the police investigation into the case had been done impartially without fear or favour.
It was also conducted in compliance with Malaysian laws and regulations, said the minister.
“Any suggestion to the contrary is deeply insulting to Malaysia, as is the suggestion that Malaysia is in collusion with any foreign government,” Anifah said.
He said the police investigation was based on, and will also pursue, all leads available, including leads which go beyond, or not related to, the information provided by embassies and other entities.
“In all civilised nations, it is the norm for cases such as these to be comprehensively investigated.
“It is the responsibility of the government to do so.
“The public also rightly demands it,” Anifah said.
Anifah added that it was for this reason that information on the investigations surrounding Jong-nam was made public as and when needed.
“It is also customary for embassies to cooperate fully with the host government in order to ensure that the investigation is as thorough as possible, and not to impugn the credibility of the investigation,” Anifah said.