Malaysia gives ok for ex case diplomat to return to NZ - report

Tania Billingsley spoke out about the attack in her Wellington home. Her alleged attacker Muhammad Rizalman is still in Malaysia.

Malaysia has reportedly given the go-ahead for diplomat Muhammad Rizalman bin Ismail to return to New Zealand to face sex and burglary charges.

"We are now awaiting a formal request from the New Zealand Government for us to send him back," a ministry source told Malaysia's The Star newspaper reported.

Rizalman could not be returned without an official request from New Zealand, the unnamed source said.

He was discharged from psychiatric evaluation at Malaysia's Tuanku Mizan Military Hospital at the end of July. His whereabouts was not immediately known, the paper reported.

Rizalman, a Malaysian defence attache, was arrested on May 9 after allegedly following 21-year-old Wellington woman Tania Billingsley home and assaulting her.

He was arrested the same night and appeared in Wellington District Court the next day.

Rizalman claimed diplomatic immunity and returned to Malaysia on May 22.

A spokesman for Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said today the minister would not be making any further comment about the case at the moment.

The ministry was working closely with Malaysian authorities to secure his return.

"The minister's just not prepared to offer any comment that could potentially jeopardise these proceedings," the spokesman said.

A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said no future court date for Rizalman had been set down.