Channel NewsAsia (CNA) quoted a beauty salon proprietor in Kuala Lumpur who said agents were going around asking about details of the case.

“They (North Korean agents) have been going from shop to shop, asking about Siti’s friends. They said they were from Pyongyang and were investigating a political plot,” the proprietor was quoted as saying.

Indonesian Siti Aisyah was one of two women charged with Jong Nam’s murder. Siti and Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong attacked the North Korean at klia2, where Jong Nam was scheduled to take a flight to Macau, on Feb 13.

It was previously reported on how Siti had first met a man named James at the popular Beach Club in downtown Kuala Lumpur. Police later revealed James’ real identity as being North Korean citizen, Ri Ji U, 30. He is believed to be hiding in the North Korean embassy since news broke of the killing.

After several meetings, Siti agreed to his request to star in a reality TV show.

The gig was simply to play pranks on strangers on busy streets in Kuala Lumpur and several locations, including malls, train stations and hotels.

According to sources close to the investigation, Ri (James) had Siti execute more than 10 pranks and paid her US$100 (RM445) to US$150 each time, depending on her performance.

On Feb 22, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar had rejected a request from then North Korean ambassador Kang Chol for a joint investigation into the murder.

“No, it is our jurisdiction, not theirs,” he said.