98 North Koreans working here legally

THERE are currently 98 North Korean citizens who hold a Malaysian working permit.

According to a parliamentary written reply, the Home Ministry said the number consists of 80 men and 18 women.

“The breakdown according to states is 75 people in Kuala Lumpur, 20 in Selangor, two in Johor and one in Perak,” the ministry said.

This is the ministry’s written reply to Lim Lip Eng’s (DAP - Segambut) queries to the ministry on the number of work permits given to North Korean citizens.

The Home Ministry added that only a citizen of Israel would not be allowed to apply for a job in Malaysia.

On March 2, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that all North Korean citizens coming to Malaysia will have to apply for a visa.

The decision was made after taking into consideration public security following the murder of Kim Jong-Nam, the estranged elder brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un at the KL International Airport 2 (klia2) on Feb 13.

The murder led to tense relations between Malaysia and North Korea.