No entry for online portals as Jong Nam trial begins

Journalists from online portals are barred from entering the court despite some turning up as early as 5.30am to get press passes.

SHAH ALAM: Journalists from several media organisations were today barred from entering the High Court here to cover the murder trial of Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of the North Korean dictator who was killed at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2) last February.

As the trial began today, the authorities only allowed a handful of reporters from Bernama, some local print dailies and international news agencies, leaving out journalists from other media outlets including online portals.

The media were earlier told that press passes to cover the trial would be given on a “first-come, first-served” basis, and many had already gathered outside the court as early as 5.30am.

Indonesian Siti Aisyah, 25, and Vietnamese national Doan Thi Huong, 28, are facing a murder charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the mandatory death penalty upon conviction.

They are accused of involvement in the killing of Jong Nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, on Feb 13.

The trial, presided by judge Azmi Ariffin, is expected to hear testimonies from some 40 witnesses.

Jong Nam’s death sparked a diplomatic row between Putrajaya and Pyongyang, after Malaysian police accused North Korea of refusing to cooperate in investigations. It is believed that several suspects in the case are still at large in North Korea. - FMT