An Indonesian woman being held over the assassination of Kim Jong Nam has said she had been paid just 400 Malaysian ringgit (€85) 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 13 February 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.
Two women are seen shoving something into Mr Kim's face in leaked CCTV footage from Kuala Lumpur airport. He later suffered a seizure and was dead before he reached hospital.
Malaysia revealed yesterday the 45-year-old was assassinated with a lethal nerve agent manufactured for chemical warfare and listed by the UN as a weapon of mass destruction.
Ms Siti, 25, "only said in general that somebody asked her to do this activity", according to Mr Erwin, who was granted consular access to her in Kuala Lumpur today.
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 Mr Erwin said Ms 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 Ms Siti was physically healthy.
Meanwhile, Malaysia has said it would issue an arrest warrant for a North Korean diplomat wanted for questioning over the murder of Mr Kim (below) if he does not voluntarily cooperate with the police.
Earlier this week, Malaysia said 44-year-old Hyon Kwang Song, a second secretary at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur, was wanted for questioning over the death of the estranged half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
"Reasonable" time will be given for the diplomat to come forward before police take further action, said Abdul Samah Mat, the police chief for Selangor state.
Mr Samah said if the person concerned did not cooperate the police would issue a notice under Malaysian law, "compelling" them to appear before the investigation team.
"And if he failed to turn up upon given this notice, then we will go to the next step by getting a warrant of arrest from the court," he told reporters.
It was unclear if the embassy official can be detained since police have said he has diplomatic immunity.
Eight North Koreans are wanted in connection with the case, including the diplomat.
One has been detained by the Malaysian police, four are believed to have fled to North Korea, while two are still in Malaysia.
Police are trying to locate the eighth suspect, another North Korean, Ri Ji U, whose whereabouts are unknown, Mr Samah said.
Mr Samah also confirmed that authorities raided an apartment in an upscale Kuala Lumpur suburb earlier this week in connection with the killing.
Investigators were still looking for any traces of chemicals in the apartment, he added.
Authorities are also sweeping locations that the suspects may have visited for chemicals, Mr Samah said.
Tomorrow, authorities plan to sweep one of the terminals at Kuala Lumpur international airport for toxic chemicals.
The teams involved include the police forensic team, the fire department and the Atomic Energy Licensing Board, the Malaysian police said in a statement.
