Malaysian PM says to be objective in probe into DPRK man's death

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said Monday that he believes the work of the Malaysian police and doctors concerning an investigation into the death of a man from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

The Malaysian prime minister, at an event, said, "I have absolute confidence that they (the Malaysian police and doctors) are objective in whatever they do," according to the Malaysian state news agency Bernama.

Najib stressed that Malaysia "will be objective and expect them (DPRK) to understand that the probe will follow Malaysian laws."

The DPRK ambassador to Malaysia on Monday denied telling Malaysian authorities that a DPRK diplomatic passport holder, who died at Kuala Lumpur last week, was Kim Jong Nam, the elder half-brother of DPRK top leader Kim Jong Un.

At a news conference in the front of the DPRK embassy, Kang Chol, the ambassador, said an official document has been submitted to the Malaysian side, pointing out that "we did not know any other name except Kim Chol as written in the passport" of the deceased.

The DPRK embassy called the press conference after Kang was summoned in the morning by the Malaysian Foreign Ministry.

The Malaysian Foreign Ministry defended the investigation into the deceased man, saying in a statement that the investigation has been conducted in a manner prescribed by Malaysian laws.

Malaysia has also recalled its ambassador in Pyongyang for consultation.

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said on Thursday that the deceased DPRK man was Kim Jong Nam. At a press conference, when asked if the man was confirmed to be Kim Jong Nam, Zahid relied, "yes, certainly yes."

He said he was briefed by the police that the DPRK embassy had confirmed Kim's identity.

Malaysian police had earlier also identified the deceased man as Kim Chol, according to his passport. Endit