Malaysia's decision to return official to New Zealand welcomed

New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully has welcomed Malaysia's announcement that the official accused of an attack on a young woman in Wellington will be returned to New Zealand.

McCully thanked the Malaysian government for what he described as "this very welcome development which underlines the good faith and integrity with which they have approached this issue".

There was never any intention by either government to let this matter rest, and regardless of whether the process took place in Malaysia or New Zealand, there was a strong commitment to seeing justice done, he said in a statement on www.beehive.govt.nz, the official website of the New Zealand government.

The move to send back Second Warrant Officer Muhammad Rizalman Ismail, a former Defence Staff Assistant at the Malaysian High Commission in Wellington, was announced by the Malaysian Foreign Ministry in a statement earlier.

He is accused of burglary and assault with intent to commit rape.

McCully said he had spoken with Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman who advised him that the Malaysian authorities would return the official in question to New Zealand to assist with the investigation.

The Malaysian authorities, McCully said, had offered their assistance with the on-going probe.

"I welcome their continued involvement," he said.

He said it must be noted that the accused had the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty and deserved the right to a fair trial.

"This is now a matter for the police and the courts and I will not be commenting further," McCully added.