Exit of two UN workers raises hopes for family
The release of two Malaysians from North Korea has raised hopes for vegetable seller S. Komala Theinmoli to see the return of her sister Nirmala Malar Kodi.
Komala, 48, said after hearing about the two Malaysians who were allowed to return, she strongly believed her sister and friends, who work at the Malaysian Embassy in Pyongyang, would also be released soon.
“There is still hope. I believe the Malaysian government will do their best to have all Malaysians there released.
“I believe my sister and everyone at the embassy are doing just fine,” she said at her home in Highland Park here yesterday.
Komala added that despite the news, she was worried about her sister’s safety since Nirmala had not updated her situation in North Korea to her eldest sister, Janaga Malar Vili.
“It has been two days. The last time we heard from her was on Monday night. She was supposed to tell us about her situation today (yesterday) at 2pm, but my eldest sister has yet to receive any news from her.
“Knowing that she works at the embassy makes me a bit relieved. I know the security there is at the highest level and not everyone can easily enter the building.
“However, I wish I could listen to her voice right now. I also hope every Malaysians could pray for her and friends’ safety over there,” she said.
Komala added that she hoped her family would be given time to be together and politely urged members of media not to call or visit her family again.
“This is a serious situation that we are dealing with right now. I hope media members understand my situation. We should wait until she is home.”
Meanwhile, Janaga, when contacted yesterday, said that all she knew right now was that her sister was safe and sound.
“That’s all I can say because she hasn’t called me yesterday to update on her situation there.
“I hope members of media could give us some time because we don’t even really know her real condition in North Korea,” she added.
Nirmala has yet to call Janaga at press time.
Nirmala, is one of 11 Malaysians who were stranded in North Korea. Pyongyang on Monday barred Malaysians from leaving North Korea.
The decision came amidst diplomatic tension over the killing of Kim Jong-Nam at KLIA2 on Feb 13.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, however, yesterday, revealed that two Malaysians under United Nations World Food Programme, Stella Lim and Nyanaprakash Muniandy, were allowed to leave Pyongyang and have arrived in Beijing.