Nine Malaysians return safely from Pyongyang

SEPANG: The nine Malaysians who had been barred from leaving Pyongyang, North Korea arrived safely at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), here, this morning.
The nine, consisting of four staff from the Malaysian embassy in Pyongyang and family members arrived via a specially charted Royal Malaysia Airforce (RMAF) jet at 5.05am, were welcomed by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman and personnel from the Foreign Ministry at the Bunga Raya Complex, here.
The nine Malaysians are the Malaysian ambassador's personal assistant Noor Saaidah Jamaluddin, 29, her husband Mohd Radzuan Othman, 29, their eight-month old son Mohamad Radhiy; administrative officer Nirmala Malar Kodi, 45; embassy counsellor Mohd Nor Azrin Md Zain, 37, his wife Iza Karmila Ramli, 35, and their three children Annur Zulaikha, 6, Aynur Zhafirah, 5, and Ayscha Zinnirah, 3.
Speaking to reporters, Anifah expressed that the return of the group is a "poignant moment" for him.
"We are thankful that all nine have returned to us safe and sound.
"The entire Wisma Putra family understood the anxiety that members of their family felt.
"For this reason, we had kept them informed of all developments," he said.
Thanking Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak for placing his trust with the ministry, Anifah said he was glad to have not let him down.
"Certainly this is diplomacy at its best.
"I have said that there can be no substitute for diplomacy, for level-headedness in dealing with such situations, and this has served Malaysia well in this situation," he said.
In addition to thanking the government machinery for their efforts, Anifah expressed how proud he was of the group who stood strong throughout the diplomatic crisis.
Meanwhile, Mohd Nor Azrin who spoke on behalf on the group credited fellow diplomats in North Korea who supported and helped throughout the crisis.
"I would like to thank the Asean diplomats especially the Vietnamese, Indonesian, Laotian, Cambodian embassies.
"Not forgetting the Pakistani, Polish, and Swedish embassies for their assistance in providing aid, including foodstuff," he said.
Mohd Nor Azril said despite not being harassed by the North Korean authorities, the travel ban had concerned them.
"I will not deny the fact when the North Korean government imposed the ban, we had grave concerns as we had done no wrong," he said.
Prior to the travel ban, he said staff from the embassy had to take turns to travel to Beijing for Euro currency and foodstuff but had to rely on the assistance of the embassies in Pyongyang after restrictions were put in place.
"We would like to spend time with our family members now," he added.
When asked on the possibility of returning to the country on diplomatic duty, he said it will depend on instructions from Wisma Putra.
The return of the Malaysians was made possible after both the Malaysian and North Korean governments had reached a truce following a diplomatic impasse due to the murder of Kim Jong-nam, half brother to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Feb 13.
In striking a deal with the North Korean government, theSun learnt that two North Korean men sought by the police were also on the flight.
North Korean Embassy Second Secretary Hyon Kwang-son and Ri Ji-u, 30, also known as James, were holed up in the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur over the past few weeks after the police had declared that they were key suspects in the assassination.