The United States has expressed respect and admiration for the professionalism of Malaysian law enforcement authorities with regard to their handling of the murder of Kim Jong-nam.

In a statement, US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel said Malaysian law enforcement agencies conducted an impressive investigation, as well as worked from the facts in a quick, professional and sophisticated manner.

“The hijacking of the territory of a country by a foreign power for the purpose of murder - for the purpose of political assassination - is reprehensible and my sympathies go to Malaysia on that account,” Russel said.