Malaysia left red-faced over envoy sex case, PKR MP tells NZ paper
(The Malay Mail) – The Malaysian junior diplomat charged with sexual assault has left Malaysia red-faced with embarrassment, PKR MP Zuraida Kamaruddin told the Sunday edition of Kiwi daily the New Zealand Herald today.
The Ampang MP also said that Muhammad Rizalman Ismail has also embarrassed his uniform and his family.
“This is the first case in Malaysia where someone in uniform is charged with such conduct. It is something that reflects badly on the country’s integrity,” Zuraida told NZ Herald.
Zuraida slammed Putrajaya for the lengthy postponement after New Zealand filed for extradition back in July this year.
“Initially they were trying to conceal the case and they were trying to evade the allegation. The Malaysian authorities were trying to be hush-hush about the whole thing but then it was exposed,” claimed the MP.
“Wrong is wrong, no matter who you are. I made a statement saying he should be brought back to New Zealand jurisdiction instead of bringing him back to Kuala Lumpur … now they are honouring their word to take him back to face the case.”
Rizalman was finally flown back to Wellington yesterday morning to briefly face the Wellington District Court charges of burglary and assault with intent to rape Kiwi national Tania Billingsley at her home on May 9.
The Second Warrant Officer with the Ministry of Defence was flown from Kuala Lumpur on Friday and spent a night in custody in Auckland, before transferred to Wellington.
Rizalman’s wife and three children however have stayed put in Kuala Lumpur in a location closely guarded location by the government, said NZ Herald.
