Stern action will be taken against diplomat if found guilty - Hishammuddin
Astro Awani
July 1, 2014 21:21 MYT
July 1, 2014 21:21 MYT
Hishammuddin Hussein
Stern action will be taken against the diplomat suspected of being involved in a case of sexual assault in New Zealand, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
Through his Twitter account Tuesday, he said "anyone who is in the wrong will not be above the law" and that action will be taken.
The diplomat, 38-year-old Muhammad Rizalman Ismail, is a staff assistant with the Malaysian High Commission in Wellington.
He was accused under the New Zealand court to have followed a 21-year-old woman home in Brooklyn on May 9 where the assault allegedly took place.
The diplomat first appeared in the Wellington District Court on May 10 for the charges of burglary and assault with intent to commit rape but has since returned to Malaysia after claiming diplomatic immunity.
Hishammuddin also said he was in discussion with Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman on whether Muhammad Rizalman would be tried in a military court in Malaysia or be sent back to New Zealand to face charges.