Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby on Monday, he said Malaysia has its own advantages and would be able to move forward in a situation such as war with North Korea.

“We can’t fight a country like North Korea on our own, which focuses so much on its defence assets. But we have our advantages which would allow us to move forward … don’t think we are only dependant on our own assets. That said however, it’s better if we don’t go there,” he said.

Hishamuddin cited as an example the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, in which 26 countries stepped forward to help with search and rescue operations.

“That is our advantage, so don’t worry so much about the assets in our country,” he said.

He added that the death of Kim Jong-nam at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2) was not as big as many other ongoing international issues.

“You need to look at this with a fair viewpoint,” he said.

Jong-nam’s murder has put both countries at loggerheads. Malaysia has expelled North Korea’s ambassador and has recalled its own ambassador from Pyongyang.

North Korea has also barred Malaysian citizens from leaving the country, with nine Malaysians still stranded there, while Malaysia has responded with a similar ban on North Koreans here.