As diplomatic tension escalates over the murder of Kim Jong-nam, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has criticised North Korean ambassador to Malaysia Kang Chol over the latter's remarks.

"The statement by the ambassador was totally uncalled for. It was diplomatically rude. But Malaysia will stand firm," he was quoted as saying by Reuters.

According to an Astro Awani report, Najib stressed that Malaysia would not become a pawn for other countries.