IGP: Duo did dry runs at malls

KUALA LUMPUR: The two women detained in connection with the death of Kim Jong-nam knew that the substance they used in the attack was toxic and even did dry runs at KLCC and Pavilion.

It is learnt that the women rehearsed the action of wiping the liquid on one of the suspects behind the attack at the shopping malls.

It is also believed that they went to KLIA2 a day before the fatal blow to practise the stunt.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said police believed the attack was carefully planned and the women – Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong, 28, and Indonesian Siti Aisyah, 25 – knew the substance they were handling.

“They knew it was toxic. The four men (who have fled the country) put the liquid on the hands of both women before they acted.

“The Indonesian was the first to wipe her hands on the victim’s face, followed by the Vietnamese,” he told a press conference yesterday, dismissing reports that the women had worn gloves and earlier claims that the two had thought it was all part of a prank on Jong-nam.

It could be seen on the CCTV footage that the women went to a nearby restroom shortly after carrying out the hit on Jong-nam, said Khalid.

“They were also instructed to wash their hands after the attack.

“They even practised a few times at Pavilion and KLCC prior to the incident,” he said.

Four people have so far been arrested in relation to the case.

Apart from Doan, who arrived from Hanoi on Feb 4, and spa masseuse Siti Aisyah, who entered the country via Batam on Feb 2, North Korean Ri Jong-chol, 47 was also arrested. Detained last Friday, the chemist had entered Malaysia on Aug 6 last year.

Also held is Siti Aisyah’s boyfriend, Malaysian Muhammad Farid Jalaluddin.

He was arrested on Feb 15 but is not a main suspect in the case.

Khalid said the remand for the two women was extended for a further seven days while the boyfriend would be released on police bail.