Malaysian to be sent back to New Zealand to face charges

The Government has decided it will send back to New Zealand the Malaysian accused of sexual assault to face charges in that country.

Second Warrant Officer Muhammad Rizalman Ismail, former Defence Staff Assistant at the Malaysian High Commission in Wellington is to assist the investigation for the charges of burglary and assault with intent to commit rape.

Wisma Putra said in a statement Wednesday, Rizalman would be accompanied by a senior military officer from the Defence Ministry.

Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman has also informed his counterpart in New Zealand, Murray McCully of the matter.

“The Malaysian Government is of the view that this decision will provide an opportunity for Muhammad Rizalman to cooperate fully and assist the New Zealand authorities in the on-going investigations on the allegations made against him.

“Malaysia has complete faith in the New Zealand legal system and has full confidence that Muhammad Rizalman will be given fair treatment with dignity as provided under the law,” the statement read.

On May 10, Rizalman had been charged in a New Zealand court with burglary and assault with intent to commit rape, a day after he allegedly followed a 21-year-old woman to her house and attacked her.

Upon claiming diplomatic immunity, the father-of-three was brought back to Malaysia in the same month.