Kim Jong-Nam: IGP urges public to exercise caution over foreign media reports

KUALA LUMPUR: The inspector-general of police has urged the public to be cautious and not easily believe any report pertaining to the death last month of Kim Jong-Nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un.
This applied to especially, those reports not backed by authentic sources, including speculation by the foreign media, said Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.
He said such reports could only harm and cause unrest among the people of the country, or possibly interfere with the government's efforts to end the issue which had dragged for more than six weeks.
"I urge the public to listen only to, and get the latest updates on the Jong-Nam (assassination) case through local news agencies.
"They (foreign media) do not have a 'sense of belonging to the country' ... which is why they can report anything on this issue which leads to speculation and (the reports) cannot be trusted," he said.
Khalid said this when met by Bernama at the closing of a fire safety training at the federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman here today.
He said the authorities were concerned that irresponsible reports could affect the negotiation process by the Malaysian Government currently in progress.
"I will not give any statement regarding Jong-Nam, and the media is asked to wait for the information on the development of this issue, which will be soon.
"This is because the negotiation process by the government involves the lives of our people there (North Korea) so any report on this issue is very sensitive," he added.
On Feb 13, Jong-Nam was murdered at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2), allegedly by two women using the highly toxic VX nerve agent.
Since the incident, diplomatic relations between North Korea and Malaysia soured following a number of statements issued by North Korea's former ambassador to Malaysia, Kang Chol.
On March 4, the Malaysian Government declared Kang Chol 'Persona Non Grata' after he failed to appear when summoned by the Malaysian Foreign Ministry. He left Malaysia on March 6.
Two days later, Pyongyang issued a directive prohibiting Malaysians there from leaving North Korea, and in response, Malaysia barred North Koreans here from leaving, as well.
There are currently three Malaysian diplomats and six of their family members still stuck in Pyongyang due to the directive. — Bernama