THE assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s half brother Kim Chol or Kim Jong-nam at klia2 last year has become the reference point for authorities including the police in dealing with bioterrorism threats.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Wan Ahmad Najmuddin Mohd said several measures and standard operating procedures (SOP) of the relevant departments and agencies in addressing the threats could be identified by referring to the case.

“This will facilitate actions (to be taken) as well as investigation planning as there is no overlapping of duties and roles between the departments and agencies involved,” he told a press conference at the closing ceremony of ‘Project Vector Bioterrorism Evidence Exploitation Workshop 2018’ in Putrajaya today.

The three-day workshop, aimed at enhancing the efficiency of dealing with bioterrorism threats and issues at the country’s checkpoints, was attended by 21 representatives including the Bukit Aman CID, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, Health Ministry, Immigration Department, Royal Malaysian Customs Department and the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia.

Najmuddin said the workshop, which also comprised the theory and practical aspects at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), served as a platform to identify and streamline the SOP of the relevant departments and agencies in their task coordination at the scene.

A 26-year-old Siti Aisyah from Indonesia and 29-year-old Doan Thi Huong from Vietnam, have been charged together with four others still at large, with the murder of Kim Jong-nam, at the departure hall of klia2 in Sepang, at 9am on February 13, 2017. The trial is still ongoing. – Bernama, February 9, 2018.