She was not 'framed', IGP denies claim on Jong-nam murder suspect

Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar has dismissed the claim that the Indonesian suspect in the murder case of Kim Jong-nam was framed.

“People can say whatever they want, but our investigation shows otherwise.

“The reason we are still detaining her and the other suspects is not because we are basing it on a hunch or suspicions plucked from thin air.

“We are holding them based on what our investigation has found, and the investigation is thorough and extensive,” he told Malaysiakini.

The police chief reiterated that it has been found that the women underwent training and carried out trial runs before the attack on Feb 13 at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA 2).

The Indonesian suspect, and another woman, who is a Vietnamese, are among those detained over the murder, which has sparked off a diplomatic row between Putrajaya and Pyongyang.

North Korea has cast aspersion on the police's investigation and supported the claim that the women were part of a prank.

Accusing Malaysia of fabricating evidence and breaching human rights, Pyongyang has demanded that the women as well as a North Korean citizen held as well be released.

Khalid was responding to a China Press report, which quoted a friend of the Indonesian suspect.

The friend disclosed that the 25-year-old suspect had celebrated her birthday at a well-known club in Kuala Lumpur the night before the attack.

"I do not believe she would kill someone just for money. It is impossible. I think she has been framed," said her friend, who also revealed that the suspect wanted to be part of the entertainment industry.

"She is a simple person and hoped to one day break into the entertainment industry. I knew of her ambition about a year ago," she said.

Jong-nam, 45, is the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

The father of three died after being administered with a chemical that has properties consistent with the deadly VX nerve agent.

The women have been accused of smearing the substance on the victim with their bare hands.- Mkini