Public urged to exercise caution over unsubstantiated foreign media reports
KUALA LUMPUR: The InspectorGeneral of Police has urged the public to be cautious and not easily believe any report pertaining to the death last month of Kim Jongnam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jongun.
his applied to especially, those reports not backed by authentic sources, including speculation by the foreign media, said Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.
He said such reports could only harm and cause unrest among the people of the country, or possibly interfere with the government’s efforts to end the issue which had dragged for more than six weeks.
“I urge the public to listen only to, and get the latest updates on the Jong-nam (assassination) case through local news agencies.
“They (foreign media) do not have a ‘sense of belonging to the country’...which is why they can report anything on this issue which leads to speculation and (the reports) cannot be trusted,” he said.
Khalid said this when met by Bernama at the closing of a fire safety training at the federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman here yesterday.
He said the authorities were concerned that irresponsible reports could affect the negotiation process by the Malaysian Government currently in progress.
“I will not give any statement regarding Jong-nam, and the media is asked to wait for the information on the development of this issue, which will be soon.
“This is because the negotiation process by the government involves the lives of our people there (North Korea) so any report on this issue is very sensitive,” he added.
There are currently three Malaysian diplomats and six of their family members still stuck in Pyongyang. — Bernama