KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia will send a diplomat back to New Zealand to face
an attempted rape charge, the foreign ministry said Wednesday, as a
diplomatic storm erupted over the case.
Muhammad Rizalman Ismail, a former defence staff assistant at
Malaysia's high commission (embassy) in Wellington, escaped prosecution
on attempted rape and burglary charges and returned to Malaysia in 
May
after his country invoked diplomatic immunity.
May
after his country invoked diplomatic immunity.
But in an about-turn the foreign ministry said Muhammad Rizalman
would be sent back "to assist in the investigation for the charges of
burglary and assault with intent to commit rape".
"The Malaysian Government is of the view that this decision will
provide an opportunity for Mr. Muhammad Rizalman to cooperate fully and
assist the New Zealand authorities in the on-going investigations on the
allegations made against him," it said in a statement.
It said Malaysia would provide legal assistance to Muhammad Rizalman, who "is considered innocent until proven guilty".
The ministry said Foreign Minister Anifah Aman(pic) had conveyed the
decision to his New Zealand counterpart Murray McCully, saying the
decision was a "clear testament of the excellent bilateral relations".
- The case has caused uproar in New Zealand, with the government facing criticism for failing to ensure the diplomat stood trial. The Malaysian government has also been accused of wrongly protecting Muhammad Rizalman.
Source: AFP
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