ARAU, Feb 24 — A Cabinet minister today advised North Korea to cease its accusations and let Malaysia conduct the investigation into the murder of Kim Jong-nam without any interference or pressure.

Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, said Malaysia should be given the space to carry out the probe as it was a sovereign nation with its own laws.

"When an incident happens in our country, we have to wait for the police to complete their investigation. Hurling accusations goes beyond boundaries. Do not make accusations without the facts,” he said.

Shahidan spoke to reporters after the release of 36,000 juvenile lobsters in Sungai Tambun Tulang by the Perlis Fisheries Department here.

North Korean ambassador Kang Chol had accused Malaysia of working with its "enemies” in conducting the investigation into the murder of Jong-nam, estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Jong-nam was at the KL International Airport 2 (klia2) at 8am on February 13 to board a flight to Macau an hour later when two women suddenly appeared before him and wiped his face with the palms of their hands which contained a poisonous liquid. 

Jong-nam sought help at a customer service counter at the airport and was rushed to the Putrajaya Hospital but died on the way.

He had come to Malaysia on February 6 and carried a passport bearing the name Kim Chol. — Bernama