IGP dismisses North Korea's allegation of delay in releasing Jong-nam's remains

Khalid said two Bangladeshi nationals, who died in the Dhaka attacks, had studied at Monash University Malaysia.

KUALA LUMPUR: Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar (pic) has dismissed North Korea's allegation that Malaysia is purposely delaying the release of Kim Jong-nam's remains.

He said that as long as DNA from Jong-nam's family had not been obtained, the investigation could not be completed.

North Korea, he stressed, must abide by the provisions of the law set by Malaysia, and should seek advice from its lawyers if it disagreed with the action by the police.

"Their lawyers can advise them. We have rules in Malaysia. While in Malaysia, everyone has to obey and follow our rules and regulations ... that includes North Korea," he told Bernama on Saturday morning.

Khalid was commenting on North Korean ambassador to Malaysia Kang Chol's statement accusing Malaysia of purposely rejecting the country's claim for the remains of Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Kang Chol made the statement to the media in the compound of the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, Hospital Kuala Lumpur at 11.45pm on Friday.

Earlier on Friday, Selangor Police Chief Datuk Seri Abdul Samah Mat said priority to claim the body was accorded to close family members to assist in identification.

However, to date, only the North Korean embassy has come forward to claim the remains.

Jong-nam, 45, was allegedly killed by two women who splashed his face with a chemical at the KL International Airport 2 departure hall at about 9am on Monday. He was about to leave for Macau. - Bernama