Sarawak Immigration director Ken Leben is quoted as saying the North Koreans should technically still be in the state. ― Picture by Sulok Tawie

KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 — Sarawak authorities are mystified by the lengthy absence without leave of 176 North Koreans hired to work at construction sites for the past half month.

The Borneo Post reported today that it had visited a construction site in Tabuan Dayak on March 17 where the North Korean workers were supposed to work, but found none of them were around.

The local newspaper said the North Koreans appeared to have left in a great hurry as all their personal belongings, work clothes, tools, helmets and boots were left behind.

Construction at the site had been halted for some time, but resumed yesterday, with only local workers. All the belongings left behind by the North Koreans were still left untouched at their quarters.

Sarawak Immigration director Ken Leben told the paper that the North Koreans should technically still be in the state as there were no records of them leaving but declined to elaborate due to the diplomatic row between the two countries.

Malaysia barred North Koreans from leaving the country from March 7, following a diplomatic standoff over the February 14 death of Kim Jong-nam that has also nine Malaysian embassy staff and their family from exiting Pyongyang.

A local Iban worker named Alec told The Borneo Post that the North Korean workers, mostly in their 40s and others between 20 and 30 years, left without notifying anyone of their whereabouts. He also said that they were diligent and hard workers who did not seem to have life outside of work.

“They were very co-operative and they displayed a high team spirit. Even doing something not so heavy, the others would help to carry it. They seemed to work at a slow pace but they worked very systematically.

“After we have clocked out, we could still see them working. And the next day when we start work, they would normally complete that particular part of the project which they were working on the day before. They were like ants – working quietly and diligently to finish the workload passed to them,” Alec was quoted saying.

According to Alec, the North Korean workers hired a cook and ate similar food to Malaysians, only their meals were portioned out systematically in an almost military-like style.

Another construction worker who was identified only as Bob said the North Koreans mostly kept to themselves and did not engage with other workers, unless it was totally necessary.

“We used sign language to communicate. They are very secretive and reclusive and did not mix around with us or try to find out about our lives here.

“There was a leader among them and I think he was the contractor. He spoke English. And he seemed to treat the North Korean workers quite well,” said Bob.

North Korean workers have been known to be working in Sarawak in coal mines under a special arrangement between the country and the state government.

It was previously reported that that 176 North Koreans were employed in the construction and mining sectors in Sarawak, but only 36 possessed valid work permits.

The matter had escaped public attention until the diplomatic spat between Malaysia and North Korea last month.