Date to send back Rizalman to New Zealand in discussion

The Attorney-General is working with the New Zealand authorities on when to send the official accused of an attack on a young woman in Wellington, back to the country. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the New Zealand authorities had given their assurance to look after the accused while he was in the country. "Rizalman's case is under the purview of Wisma Putra. The Attorney-General's office, the military and foreign office are working closely with the New Zealand authorities. The temperature with regard to that case had reduced tremendously compared to when the news broke up," he told reporters after launching the MH370 Photo Exhibition here, today. Hishammuddin was asked to update on the case involving Muhammad Rizalman Ismail, a former Defence Staff Assistant at the Malaysian High Commission in New Zealand, who was charged with house breaking and sexual assault with intent to commit rape. Muhammad Rizalman, 38, was arrested in New Zealand last May 9 and was brought to the court the following day to face the charges. Hishammuddin, however, hoped that justice would be given not only to the accuser in the case, but to the accused as well. "What's wrong is wrong. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. That is why we requested that he goes back to New Zealand to help with the investigation. That was decided at Cabinet level," he said. On Wednesday, the Malaysian government decided to send Muhammad Rizalman back to New Zealand to help with investigation into the case, but no specific date was mentioned.