Prime Minister Najib Razak has demanded the release of Malaysian citizens in North Korea, accusing Pyongyang of effectively holding them hostage.
North Korea banned all Malaysians from leaving the country, as relations worsen over the death of Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korea's leader.
Quick to respond, Malaysia imposed similar measures on North Koreans in Malaysia.
Al Jazeera's Florence Looi reports from Kuala Lumpur.
