Indonesia wants access to detainee

Indonesia Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi have requested Malaysia to allow consular access to its citizen who was arrested and remanded in connection with the alleged assassination of Kim Jong-nam.

In a statement, Retno said the request was relayed to Foreign Minister Anifah Aman during a meeting on the sidelines of the Asean Ministerial Retreat Session in Boracay, Philippines.

"Malaysia's foreign minister stressed that investigations are still ongoing and there were various information which have yet to be obtained by the police from the two detained Asean citizens.

"In accordance with Malaysian laws, while investigations are ongoing, the detainees are not allowed to meet with any other person aside from the investigators," said Retno.

Retno, however, said Indonesia have reiterated its request for an urgent direct access to the detainee.

"We reminded (Anifah) that direct consular access must be given at the soonest opportunity, in accordance with the Vienna Convention," he said.

Vietnam making similar request

Retno said while lawyers and staff from the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur had met investigators, direct access to to the detainee might help the probe.

"Giving direct consular access to the detainee will help to facilitate communications between her and the investigators," said Retno.

He added that the trilateral meeting was also attended by Vietnam foreign minister Panh Binh Minh who made the same request for a Vietnamese woman being held in connection to Kim's murder.

Retno said Anifah had promised to coordinate with Malaysian police and grant direct access to the detainee despite ongoing investigations.

The two detainees were alleged to have attacked Kim at KLIA2 on Feb 13. Kim was said to have died after being poisoned.- Mkini