Malaysian Envoy In Sex Case Back In NZ Saturday

KUALA LUMPUR: Citing unnamed “official sources”, Wellington-based daily The Dominion Post claimed today that the Malaysian junior diplomat accused of sexually assaulting a New Zealand citizen will arrive in the country Saturday morning and appear in court straight after.

The paper said reported that Muhammad Rizalman Ismail will fly back from Malaysia overnight on Friday and will be escorted by New Zealand police officers.

“On landing in the capital, he will immediately be taken to Wellington District Court to face the charges, it is understood,” the daily added.

It was not made clear whether the “official sources” cited were from Malaysia or New Zealand.

Earlier this month, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein claimed that the extradition of Rizalman was awaiting a response from Wellington, amid calls from the island country to expedite the process.

The defence minister said on October 9 that, to his knowledge, Putrajaya has been waiting for its counterpart in Wellington to respond over the return of Rizalman — who was charged with the attempted sexual assault of a New Zealand citizen.

On October 7, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said Rizalman could have it in his power to postpone his extradition further, but conceded that he was not informed if the latter is trying to delay being sent back to New Zealand.

Key previously expressed hope that Putrajaya would hasten the junior diplomat’s return to face trial there.

Last month, a spokesman from New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said that the process to send Rizalman back was complicated as there was no extradition treaty between the two countries.

With the extradition request filed in July, lawyers from both governments have since been sharing agreements and working through technically complex legal agreements, the spokesman said.

Early this month, Key also said he was confident that Putrajaya will honour its pledge to send Rizalman back, citing assurances he received from his Malaysian counterpart Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Rizalman was arrested by New Zealand police on May 9 and charged the next day with alleged burglary and assault with intent to rape 21-year-old Tania Billingsley. Both charges carry the maximum penalty of 10 years in jail.

Rizalman later returned to Malaysia on diplomatic immunity, which sparked a public dispute between the two countries, following accusations that he abused diplomatic privilege to escape prosecution.

He had been scheduled to be sent back to New Zealand in July, but was delayed after a psychiatric examination stated he was not fit to travel. - Malay Mail