Malaysia is in close contact with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), particularly regarding the recent incident involving the death of a North Korean national at Kuala Lumpur National Airport 2 (klia2).

According to Foreign Affairs Ministry's statement, the OPCW has provided the Malaysian authority with some technical materials that were requested to assist in its investigation.

"The OPCW has further indicated its commitment to provide further assistance as required," the statement said.

The ministry also said that the government would fully cooperate with the OPCW and other international organisations to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The toxic chemical ethyl S-2-diisopropylaminoethyl methylphosphonothiolate or VX nerve agent, listed as a chemical weapon, was used in the murder of North Korean Kim Chol, widely reported to be Kim Jong-nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, on Feb 13.

It was reported that Kim Chol was at klia2 on Feb 13 to board a flight to Macau when two women wiped his face with toxic liquid which was later identified as 'VX' nerve agent.

Kim Chol sought help at a customer service counter in the airport and was rushed to the Putrajaya Hospital but died on the way. He had arrived in Malaysia on Feb 6.

Wisma Putra stressed that Malaysia was greatly concerned over the use of the toxic chemical (nerve agent) listed in Schedulue 1 of Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction (CWC) as well as the Chemical Weapons Convention Act 2005.

"Malaysia does not produce, stockpile, import, export or use any Schedule 1 toxic chemicals including VX and has complied with all its obligation under the CWC," it said.

The ministry strongly condemned the use of such a chemical weapon by anyone, anywhere and under any circumstances.

-- BERNAMA