Red faces over Malaysian diplomat

Muhammad Rizalman arrives at Wellington Airport. Photo / 3 News

Charges humiliating and embarrassing for family and Malaysia, says MP

The Malaysian diplomat charged with attempted rape is an embarrassment to his uniform and country, a Malaysian MP says.

Zuraida Kamaruddin, an opposition MP to the country's ruling party, told the Herald on Sunday that Muhammad Rizalman's case was the first of its kind.

"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," she said.

Rizalman briefly appeared in the Wellington District Court yesterday on charges of burglary and assault with intent to rape Tania Billingsley at her home on May 9.

His wife and three children did not return to New Zealand with him. They are still living in Kuala Lumpur, but their location has been closely guarded by the government.

"I think it's because it's something that is quite humiliating for the family [that he has been] charged," said Zuraida.

"After they came back they were quite reserved ... and then he was kept from public view and the family was also kept from public view."

She was also heavily critical of the lengthy extradition process and the Malaysian Government's initial handling of the case.

"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," she said.

"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."

After his arrest on May 10 New Zealand asked Malaysia to waive diplomatic immunity for Rizalman but on May 22 he left the country after a mix-up between officials.

Once the charges against him were revealed by the Herald on Sunday in June, the two governments started a lengthy and complicated extradition process so that he could be tried in New Zealand instead of being court-marshalled in Malaysia.

It is understood after Rizalman's court appearance he was taken to the remand unit at Rimutaka Prison where he will be held with about 100 other prisoners before his next court appearance on Tuesday.

Beven Hanlon, the president of the Corrections Association of New Zealand, said he would not be receiving any special treatment.