Malaysia says Kim Jong Nam's body still in Kuala Lumpur

[KUALA LUMPUR] The body of Kim Jong Nam, who was murdered in Malaysia last month, is still in Kuala Lumpur, health minister Health Minister Subramaniam Sathasivam said on Tuesday, amid reports the remains of the estranged half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will soon leave the country.

"We have to check with the forensics department if there was any requirement to bring the body out, but as far as we are concerned there is no change in status quo," Mr Subramaniam told reporters.

He said the next of kin have not come forward to provide assistance on how the body is to be treated.

Kim Jong Nam was murdered on Feb 13, when Malaysian police say two women smeared super toxic VX nerve agent on his face at the budget terminal of Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Media reports on Monday said the body was moved out of the hospital to a funeral parlour, and later was being prepared to go on a flight to Beijing.

Malaysia's New Straits Times newspaper reported on Tuesday that the body was expected to go from Beijing to North Korea, without disclosing its source for the information.

REUTERS