KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 — A New Zealand newspaper praised Malaysia today for having “done the right thing” with its swift and unexpected decision to send back a junior diplomat to face burglary and attempted rape charges in the Pacific island nation.
The New Zealand Herald, said to have the widest circulation in the country, however had less flattering words for its country’s Foreign Minister, Murray McCully, whom it held responsible for the diplomatic bungle that had nearly caused a frostbite in bilateral ties.
The paper called on the minister to apologise to Malaysia for the fumble.
“Foreign Minister Murray McCully has apologised to the Prime Minister for this diplomatic immunity debacle. His apologies should not stop there.
“He owes another to the state of Malaysia for suggesting it was entirely to blame for the immunity granted to a junior military officer at its High Commission in Wellington who was facing charges of burglary and assault with intent to rape,” the New Zealand Herald said in its editorial today.
The daily’s political editor, Audrey Young, also applauded Malaysia decisive action to waive diplomatic immunity for its envoy and allow the accused, Muhammad Rizalman Ismail, to stand trial in New Zealand.
“Malaysia has done the right thing in its surprise announcement tonight that it will send a diplomat and warrant officer back to New Zealand to face sex charges,” she said in a separate opinion piece in the daily.
Malaysia’s international reputation had been “dented” in the immediate aftermath of the sex storm, she said but added Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman’s handling of the confusing turn of events has helped restore confidence towards the country.
She pointed out that Malaysia’s earlier decision to whisk home the accused was due to a “false understanding”.
She said the swift decision may have been influenced by domestic issues, observing Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and women activists here had latched onto the case allegedly involving a Malaysian in the role of perpetrator, but added, “But it also shows integrity”.
The junior envoy, Muhammad Rizalman, 38, was arrested by Kiwi police on May 9 on allegations of attempted burglary and sexual assault on a 21-year-old woman, punishable by up to 10 years in jail.
He was charged in a New Zealand court a day later for burglary and assault with intent to commit rape, with the court granting a suppression order to protect his identity.
Diplomatic immunity was later invoked and prevented the prosecution in New Zealand; Muhammad Rizalman was then recalled to Malaysia.
The suppression order was lifted Monday, amid growing outrage in New Zealand with Prime Minister John Key saying that he would prefer the Malaysian tried in New Zealand.
Malaysia yesterday said it would send Muhammad Rizalman to be tried in New Zealand.
