According to Deputy Foreign Minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican, Stella Lim and Nyanaprakash Muniandy, both UN passport holders, touched down in Beijing on Thursday. He said they would operate from China’s capital for the time being.

“I’ve spoken to Stella over the phone and I was informed that they would stay in Beijing for the UN programme there,” The Star Online quoted him as saying yesterday.

Reezal also said he was in contact with the other nine Malaysians in North Korea and who are prohibited from leaving the country.

“Every day I communicate with them and there is no threat whatsoever against them. They are free to move about as usual.

When I spoke to Stella, she reported the same thing to me,” The Star Online quoted him as saying.

“Our priority now is to bring the Malaysians home swiftly and safely,” he said.

Meanwhile a government source expressed confidence that Malaysia and North Korea could resolve the current diplomatic stalemate amicably.

The source said Prime Minister Najib Razak had spoken with those in the Malaysian Embassy in North Korea and all were safe and able to carry out their work freely.

“The people in North Korea whom the Government is dealing with have somewhat extended an olive branch in this matter.

The Government is confident that this matter can be resolved amicably and that our people will be allowed to return home,” said the source.