KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 21 — Malaysia’s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today that comments by the North Korean ambassador casting doubt over a Malaysian investigation into the killing of the estranged half-brother of North Korea’s leader were "diplomatically rude”.

"The statement by the ambassador was totally uncalled for. It was diplomatically rude. But Malaysia will stand firm,” Najib told reporters.

North Korean ambassador Kang Chol said his country "cannot trust” Malaysia’s handling of the probe into the killing.

Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, was killed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport last week. South Korean and US officials believe he was assassinated by North Korean agents. — Reuters