No plans to send Rizalman back yet, says Armed Forces chief

Muhammad Rizalman Ismail, the Malaysian diplomat who is facing allegations of burglary and assault in New Zealand, will not be sent back there anytime soon, Armed Forces chief Tan Sri Zulkefli Mohd Zin said today.

This is because he is still undergoing mental and emotional health assessment in hospital, he said.

"We will 'return' the officer to New Zealand when it is appropriate and after all the needs (that were previously discussed) have been met.

"This (issue) is not about time. We also don't know when (he will be sent back), but we believe he (Muhammad Rizalman) will be sent later.

"As mentioned before, Muhammad Rizalman is innocent until proven guilty," Zulkefli told newsmen at Wisma Pertahanan here.

Muhammad Rizalman, who was admitted into the Tuanku Mizan Military Hospital since Tuesday, is said to be unable to travel just yet as doctors have ordered for more psychiatric tests to be carried out.

The New Zealand Herald reported on Sunday that a senior doctor at the hospital had told the newspaper that Muhammad Rizalman was "not looking good" and might need further tests.

The doctor said the 38-year-old accused seemed withdrawn and depressed.

The diplomat faced charges of burglary and assault with intent to commit rape after he was arrested for allegedly following a 21-year-old woman from a bus stop to her house and attacking her on May 9.

The father-of-three was said to have broken into her house and undressed but the woman had allegedly fought him off and neighbours had gone to her aid.

He was charged in court on May 10 but upon claiming diplomatic immunity, Muhammad Rizalman was brought back to Malaysia in the same month.