No date set for Malaysian diplomat's return

Muhammad Rizalman bin Ismail. Photo / Facebook

No date has yet been set for the return of a Malaysian diplomat accused of a sex attack on a New Zealand woman in Wellington.

Malaysian authorities have reportedly given the go-ahead for Muhammad Rizalman bin Ismail to return to the country to face intent to rape and burglary charges. They are awaiting a formal request from New Zealand before being able to send him, a Malaysian Government source told media there last week.

This morning the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Mfat) said no firm arrangements had yet been made for his return, and did not confirm if a formal request had been sent to Malaysian authorities.

"The matter of Muhammad Rizalman bin Ismail's return is still subject to the completion of legal arrangements, and Mfat is not in a position to comment further today," a spokeswoman said.

The 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, where he later underwent psychiatric treatment at Tuanku Mizan Military Hospital.

The Government has maintained that it always wanted Ismail to remain in New Zealand to face the charges.

But miscommunication between Mfat and Malaysian officials led to Malaysia believing that repatriating Ismail and trying him under a military court was acceptable to New Zealand.