Friends of the Indonesian woman detained in connection with the murder of North Korean Kim Jong-nam believe that she could have been framed.

According to China Press, the suspect celebrated her birthday, at a well-known nightclub in Kuala Lumpur, the night before the murder.

At the party, the suspect's friends were led to believe that she would be participating in a "prank for a reality show" the next day.

A friend of the suspect also showed China Press a video of the suspect laughing and looking a bit shy after her friends suggested that she would be a "big star".

"I do not believe she would kill someone just for money. It is impossible. I think she has been framed," said her friend.

According to the friend, the suspect had no motive for killing Jong-nam and that she was determined to be part of the entertainment industry.

"She is a simple person and hoped to one day break into the entertainment industry.

"I knew of her ambition about a year ago," she said.

The Indonesian woman is among three people currently detained to assist investigations into Jong-nam's death.

The 45-year-old half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un died after being administered with a chemical that has properties consistent with the deadly VX nerve agent.

The Indonesian woman and a Vietnamese woman have been accused of applying the chemical on Jong-nam at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2) on Feb 13.

Previously, inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar denied claims that the women believed they were playing a prank.