There is no words to describe S. Komala Theinmoli's immense relief to know that her younger sister, who is now in Pyongyang, North Korea, is safe.

Komala Theinmoli, 48, said the good news announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on the fate of 11 Malaysians in Pyongyang, was something she had been looking forward to for the past few days.

Her sister S.Nirmala Malar Kodi, is working as an administrative officer at the Malaysian Embassy in Pyongyang.

"I feel relieved when the North Korean government gave assurance that my sister and other Malaysians are safe. This is the news that we have been waiting for," she said this when met as her home in Taman Highlands here today.

READ: LIVE UPDATE Malaysia-North Korea diplomatic row escalates to standoff

The prime minister today said that the North Korean government had given assurance that all 11 Malaysians in Pyongyang are safe and free to lead normal life.

However, they are still temporarily barred from leaving the country.

Komala Theinmoli, who is a trader, said she was hoping that the government could safely bring her sister and other Malaysians home as soon as possible.

"I believe the government will do its best to ensure the safety of Malaysians there," she said.

She said her sister had last contacted them on Tuesday night and informed them that she was safe.

There were 11 Malaysians, including three embassy officials who were temporarily barred from leaving North Korea as the country's response to Malaysia's action to declare North Korean Ambassador Kang Chol Persona Non Grata and expelled him after he failed to turn up at Wisma Putra at 6pm on Feb 4.

However, two Malaysians who were there under the United Nations (UN) World Food Programme were allowed to leave Pyongyang and have safely arrived in Beijing.