SEPANG: Suspects in police custody over Kim Jong-nam's assassination, and all airport and medical personnel who came in contact with the victim, have been cleared of VX nerve agent contamination.
This was confirmed through medical examinations carried out on the men and women, after analysis revealed that Jong-nam was killed by the highly-toxic warfare chemical weapon.
Selangor police chief Datuk Seri Abdul Samah Mat said those who were involved in the incident and its investigation were subjected to thorough medical checks as a precautionary measure.
"All those who attended to the deceased, including Malaysia Airports staff and case investigators, were subjected to medical checks, just in case. Alhamdulillah, they are okay.
"The same goes to the two female suspects – they do not show any symptoms (of VX contamination). Only one of them — the Indonesian woman — had vomited in a taxi right after the incident, but since her arrest, she is in good condition," Abdul Samah told a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2), here early this morning.
He spoke to reporters after a joint-operation by the police’s Forensics Unit, the Fire and Rescue Department's Hazardous Materials team and the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) to sweep areas of the airport, where Jong-nam was attacked, for traces of the deadly chemical.
Abdul Samah said following the analysis that confirmed VX as Jong-nam's cause of death, police also alerted the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (KLH) where the remains are being kept, so that staff can take necessary precautionary measures in handling the body.
Meanwhile, on the klia2 operation, which took about an hour, he said authorities had cleared the airport as a safe zone.
"There were no hazardous materials found during the check. The airport was also found to be free from any form of contamination."
Abdul Samah said the screening was only conducted today - 12 days after Jong-nam was killed with the nerve agent – because the findings by the Chemistry Department were only made on Friday evening.
The operation started at 1.45am and ended at about 3am. It saw personnel from the three agencies, who were clad in full protective gear and face masks, conducting checks at spots and walkways where Jong-nam, his two alleged female assailants, and four main suspects had been on the day of the incident.
The areas included the airport's departure hall, Bibik Heritage restaurant, Menara Medical Clinic and two toilets at Level 3 and Level 2.
The personnel, who were divided into several teams, also brought in several handheld devices which were made specifically to detect residue of hazardous materials.
Abdul Samah said they chose to do it during the wee hours to avoid causing unnecessary alarm to the public, besides taking advantage of the smaller crowd, which would make it easier for the team to perform their duties.
When asked about the personnel having to wear protective gear, he said it was required under the agencies' standard operating procedures.