KUCHING: The Sarawak government is in talks with the Home Ministry and the Foreign Ministry on the fate of some 170 North Korean workers in the state.
Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari said the North Koreans are mostly specialised workers working in the coal mines around the state, especially in Selantik (in Sri Aman) and also some are doing special work in Lawas related to the construction of bridges and dams.
“There are about 170 North Koreans in Sarawak and currently, I am still discussing with the country’s security on the status of the employees, considering what recently happened has affected diplomatic relations between North Korea and Malaysia,” he said when met by reporters after launching the Forum on Forest Landscape at Riverside Majestic Hotel here, yesterday.
Johari said he is still awaiting advice from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Home Ministry on the matter because it involves the issue of visas, immigration of foreigners and Malaysian relations with foreign countries.
“I do not know how long (waiting for advice from the ministries), because these are not things that can be done quickly because it involves a very complex issue and will require time,” he explained.
He added he would not know whether there are people from North Korea who are working in the state and are also becoming a spy for their country and said he would leave the matter to the security forces.
