KUALA LUMPUR: An Indonesian woman being held over the assassination of Kim Jong-Nam said ON Saturday she had been paid just RM400 ($90) for taking part in what she thought was a TV prank show, a senior diplomat reportedly told media.

Siti Aisyah, who was arrested soon after the half-brother of the North Korean leader was killed on Feb 13 with a lethal nerve agent, added she believed she was handling a liquid like “baby oil”, Indonesia’s deputy ambassador to Malaysia Andreano Erwin said according to reports.

Siti, 25, “only said in general that somebody asked her to do this activity”, according to Erwin, who was granted consular access to Siti in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. The senior diplomat added it was too early to say what charges may be brought against her.

Another female suspect, Doan Thi Huong, 28, is also in custody over the murder, but Erwin said Siti had told Indonesian consular staff she did not know her.

Malaysian police have said one of the women arrested after the attack fell ill in custody, adding she had been vomiting.

However, Erwin said Siti was physically healthy.

The fallout from the attack continued after US media reported unofficial talks in New York between North Korean and former American officials had been cancelled.

Earlier on Saturday Malaysian police told the public they would do everything possible to ensure there was no risk from the lethal VX nerve agent used to assassinate Kim Jong-Nam.

People were worried about the use of the highly toxic agent, state police chief Abdul Samah Mat said. “We are taking action on this to be really sure,” Abdul Samah said.

“We are working closely with our counterparts from our chemistry department, forensics and the team from the nuclear atomic agency in Malaysia.” He added: “We want to make it clear to the public if there is any effects ... which could affect the health of the people.” National police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said on Friday experts would sweep the airport terminal where the attack took place for traces of the toxin as well as other locations the two female suspects visited.

Detectives are also holding a North Korean man but want to speak to seven other North Koreans, four of whom are thought to have fled to Pyongyang.

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2017