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Malaysia will return diplomat to face attempted rape charge in New Zealand Malaysia will return diplomat to face attempted rape charge in New Zealand
(35 minutes later)
Malaysia says it will send an envoy back to New Zealand to face an attempted rape charge as a diplomatic storm erupted over the case.Malaysia says it will send an envoy back to New Zealand to face an attempted rape charge as a diplomatic storm erupted over the case.
It had earlier asked Wellington to drop the case against defence staff assistant Muhammad Rizalman Ismail, promising he would never return to the country, according to documents released on Wednesday.It had earlier asked Wellington to drop the case against defence staff assistant Muhammad Rizalman Ismail, promising he would never return to the country, according to documents released on Wednesday.
Muhammad Rizalman appeared in a New Zealand court on 10 May accused of stalking a 21-year-old woman the previous night and attacking her at her home in the Wellington suburb where Malaysia's high commission is located.Muhammad Rizalman appeared in a New Zealand court on 10 May accused of stalking a 21-year-old woman the previous night and attacking her at her home in the Wellington suburb where Malaysia's high commission is located.
Police charged him with burglary and assault with intent to commit rape – both offences that carry jail terms of up to 10 years – but he escaped prosecution after invoking diplomatic immunity and returning to his homeland.Police charged him with burglary and assault with intent to commit rape – both offences that carry jail terms of up to 10 years – but he escaped prosecution after invoking diplomatic immunity and returning to his homeland.
But in an about-turn, Malaysia's foreign ministry said today that Muhammad Rizalman would return to New Zealand "to assist in the investigation for the charges".But in an about-turn, Malaysia's foreign ministry said today that Muhammad Rizalman would return to New Zealand "to assist in the investigation for the charges".
"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," it said in a statement. "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 investigations on the allegations made against him," it said in a statement.
Murray McCully, New Zealand foreign minister, said this was a "very welcome development which underlines the good faith and integrity with which they (Malaysia) have approached this issue". New Zealand foreign minister Murray McCully said this was a "very welcome development, which underlines the good faith and integrity with which they [Malaysia] have approached this issue".
The case has caused uproar in New Zealand, with the government facing criticism for failing to ensure the diplomat stood trial. The case has caused uproar in New Zealand, with the government facing criticism for failing to ensure that the diplomat stood trial.
The Malaysian government has also been accused by its nationals of wrongly protecting Muhammad Rizalman.The Malaysian government has also been accused by its nationals of wrongly protecting Muhammad Rizalman.
"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," McCully said in a statement."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," McCully said in a statement.
Malaysia said it would provide legal assistance to Muhammad Rizalman, who "is considered innocent until proven guilty".Malaysia said it would provide legal assistance to Muhammad Rizalman, who "is considered innocent until proven guilty".
In an unusual move, New Zealand earlier released correspondence between foreign affairs officials and the Malaysian high commission, in which the diplomatic mission refused to waive immunity and asked that the charges be dropped and the matter kept quiet.In an unusual move, New Zealand earlier released correspondence between foreign affairs officials and the Malaysian high commission, in which the diplomatic mission refused to waive immunity and asked that the charges be dropped and the matter kept quiet.
John Key, New Zealand prime minister, has said he feels the accused should be in the dock in the country where the alleged offences took place.John Key, New Zealand prime minister, has said he feels the accused should be in the dock in the country where the alleged offences took place.
"There is absolutely no question in my mind that this individual should be tried through the New Zealand system and face his penalties, if he is found guilty, in New Zealand," he told reporters."There is absolutely no question in my mind that this individual should be tried through the New Zealand system and face his penalties, if he is found guilty, in New Zealand," he told reporters.
New Zealand police had said in a statement that they were examining the possibility of applying for Muhammad Rizalman's extradition.New Zealand police had said in a statement that they were examining the possibility of applying for Muhammad Rizalman's extradition.
Anifah Aman, Malaysian foreign minister, told reporters on Tuesday that Kuala Lumpur had initially been prepared to waive immunity but decided not to when New Zealand presented the option of returning Muhammad Rizalman home. Malaysian foreign minister Anifah Aman told reporters on Tuesday that Kuala Lumpur had initially been prepared to waive immunity but decided not to when New Zealand presented the option of returning Muhammad Rizalman home.
He had said the case would be treated seriously by authorities in Malaysia.He had said the case would be treated seriously by authorities in Malaysia.
McCully said the option of sending the diplomat home should have never been put on the table and apologised for his department's handling of the affair.McCully said the option of sending the diplomat home should have never been put on the table and apologised for his department's handling of the affair.
"The government's been poorly served and I've apologised to the prime minister for that," he told reporters."The government's been poorly served and I've apologised to the prime minister for that," he told reporters.
In Malaysia, opposition politicians and activists have also called on the government to return the envoy to New Zealand.In Malaysia, opposition politicians and activists have also called on the government to return the envoy to New Zealand.
"Heavy rain in (Kuala Lumpur) but cannot wash away the embarrassment for my country," one user wrote on Twitter.