Don’t stereotype North Koreans, says Nazri
Malaysians should not stereotype North Korean citizens just because of their leader, said Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.
Nazri said four North Koreans secured homes under the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme in 2013 and 2014.
“We should not be profiling them. I believe our security is tight and I believe the government will continue to monitor them,” he said at Parliament lobby here yesterday.
Nazri said the ministry would continue to evaluate applications from North Koreans for the MM2H programme.
“We will evaluate until we receive instructions from the Home Ministry to stop.”
He said MM2H applicants must fulfil specific requirements before they were eligible under the programme.
“They must own a property here and have a fixed monthly income to qualify.”
On March 4, Malaysia declared North Korean ambassador Kang Chol persona non grata for being critical of the nation’s handling of the case, and ordered the diplomat to leave the country within 48 hours.
Following the announcement, North Korea decided to temporarily ban Malaysians from leaving the country.
Malaysia followed suit by announcing that North Koreans in the country would not be allowed to leave, shortly after the announcement made by Pyongyang.
Negotiations between Malaysia and North Korea are ongoing to resolve issues over Kim Jongnam’s body and to secure the release of their citizens.
Jong-nam, the estranged halfbrother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, was assassinated at klia2 on Feb 13.