N. Korean ambassador crossed the line: Mahdzir

SUNGAI PETANI: Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said North Korea’s ambassador to Malaysia, Kang Chol, crossed the line in trying to meddle in Malaysian authorities’ investigation into the death of Kim Jong-nam. Mahdzir said it was unbecoming, if not downright rude, of the ambassador to question the way Malaysia is handling the investigation. "In my personal view, he should have waited for the full investigation to be completed. Once the report is out, he should study it before making any comment. "However, it seems that he had jumped the gun and made remarks damaging towards both nations’ diplomatic ties," Mahdzir said at a press conference after attending a dialogue session with 1,700 teachers and Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA) representatives at AIMST Universiti in Bedong here today. The dialogue was organised on the sidelines of the ministry's Education Tour and Briefing on Core Policies 2017, which kick-started in Kedah. Present were state Education Committee chairman Datuk Tajul Urus Mat Zain, Education Ministry deputy secretary-general (education development) Datuk Azmi Lateh and state Education Department director Datuk Azuyah Hassan. Mahdzir said Malaysia has good reason to re-examine its diplomatic relations with North Korea, in light of Kang Chol’s accusations against the country. He was commenting on Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s instruction to Wisma Putra to re-examine Malaysia’s diplomatic ties with North Korea following the ambassador's allegations, which were described as uncalled for. Ahmad Zahid was reported as rubbishing allegations that Malaysia is colluding with other countries or organisations over the death of Kim Jong-nam. © New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd