The body of Kim Jong-nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has reportedly been removed from the National Institute of Forensic Medicine (IPFN) at Hospital Kuala Lumpur.

According to Berita Harian, the body was transferred to Cheras after being kept at the morgue for 40 days.

The move led to speculation that the next-of-kin of Kim Jong-un, the supreme leader of North Korea and half-brother of Jong-nam, had claimed the body.

"Sources say the body was taken to Cheras for religious rites," said the report.

Authorities have been tight-lipped over the mater.

Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar had previously also refused to say how Jong-un's identity was confirmed by police, citing "safety" of witnesses.

The report said Jong-nam's body was moved at 1.30pm.

The hearse was escorted by a four-wheel-drive vehicle as well as several multi-purpose police vehicles.

Jong-nam died on the way to Putrajaya Hospital after he was poisoned using the chemical weapon VX agent at KL International Airport 2 on Feb 13. 

Two women who carried out the poisoning, an Indonesian and a Vietnamese, have been charged with his murder.

However, police believe the four main suspects, who are North Koreans, have fled the country.

Police are also demanding to question two more North Korean suspects who have been holed up in the North Korean embassy.

The incident has led to deteriorating of relations between Malaysia and North Korea.

North Korea has refused to allow nine Malaysians in Pyongyang to return home, effectively holding them hostage.