Kim Jong-nam's family has left it to the Malaysian government to handle his remains, said deputy inspector-general of police Noor Rashid Ibrahim.

“I understand that they have left it to our government. So we will handle it. I cannot tell you what has been decided at this juncture.

"Yes, they (the family) gave their consent,” he told a press conference in Shah Alam this morning.

Asked how will the body of the deceased would be handled, he said it was a matter for the minister involved, and we shall have to wait and see, now that the matter of identification and release of the body have been dealt with.

Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Jong-nam's remains were identified based on DNA sample provided by his child.

Jong-nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, died on Feb 13 after being smeared with VX nerve agent at the KL International Airport 2 (KLIA 2).

The case sparked off a diplomatic row between Putrajaya and Pyongyang.

Meanwhile, Noor Rashid also declined to reveal details as to when and where the DNA sample was obtained.

"This is a sensitive question. I cannot answer. What is important is that we obtained the DNA sample from his child and wife. I can't tell you when, it is sensitive," he said.

Pressed further on whether the DNA sample was obtained outside of Malaysia, Noor Rashid replied: "I do not wish to comment."

Asked about negotiations between North Korea and Malaysia over the nine who are are still trapped in the reclusive state, he said that the matter was being handled at the cabinet-level.

"That is the work of Wisma Putra, not our responsibility. I think the prime minister is chairing the matter and I shall not comment," said Noor Rashid.

As far as the police are concerned, he added, their main responsibility was to investigate the murder, which they had done.

"We have gathered all the evidence, the statements from witnesses, video footage and the rest. We have also submitted our investigation papers to the attorney-general and he agreed to take action against two from the four involved.

"Which means we were only able to charge two, four more needs to be prosecuted but there are protocols that must be followed to bring them to justice. So we are following the protocols," related Noor Rashid.

He also confirmed that paperwork on the four still being sought over Jong-nam's murder have been submitted to Interpol.

"We have sent, and I have to check first what is the current status. Though we had done this since the early stages," he said.