KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 ― Silenced by its courts, New Zealand’s news agencies are seeking to lift the order to suppress the identity and home country of a foreign diplomat at the centre of a sexual assault allegation that has gripped its country.

Invoking diplomatic immunity, the suspect is said to have been recalled home and was yesterday confirmed by Malaysia's Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman to be a Malaysian envoy.

New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Murray McCully expressed support for the country’s media organisations’ move to lift the suppression order, saying that he wished them “well”, the New Zealand Herald reported today.

“I can’t see any good public policy reason why you’d want to protect someone from publicity given there won’t be a trial,” he was quoted saying.

However, he said the New Zealand government will not join in the legal action and had also been advised by the country’s Solicitor-General to comply with the court order by not identifying the diplomat.

Radio New Zealand reported today it had appealed to the High Court along with other media organisations for an urgent lifting of the Wellington District Court’s suppression order.

The appeal was filed today at the Wellington High Court as the New Zealand media noted that a press conference is expected to also be held today by the diplomat’s home country.

In seeking the urgent lifting of the suppression order, the media agencies noted that they would be at risk of violating the court order if they reported on the statement in the press conference.

Anifah, who had said Malaysia is not protecting the diplomat and will return him to New Zealand provided he is assured of a fair trial, is expected to give a press conference this noon.

According to New Zealand police, the diplomat said to be in his 30s was arrested after he allegedly followed a woman aged 21 to her house on May 9 and attacked her.

He was then charged with assault with intent to rape and burglary, but the case had to be dropped after he was recalled home a day after he was charged, news wire AFP reported.

New Zealand had asked for the diplomatic immunity of the man to be waived so that he could face trial there, but the request was refused by Malaysia.

Prime Minister John Key said it was New Zealand’s “strong preference” for the man to face trial there, but said this was not possible after his home country invoked diplomatic immunity.

“Though I would make the point that it’s our expectation he will be held to account in his home country,” he was quoted saying by the Australian Associated Press yesterday.