KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 ― New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has asked Malaysia to expedite the extradition of a junior diplomat to face criminal charges in Wellington, which has now been delayed by two months.
But Key expressed confidence that Putrajaya will honour its pledge to send Muhammad Rizalman Ismail back to New Zealand to be tried for attempted rape and forced entry, citing assurances he received from his Malaysian counterpart Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
“We would prefer it was quicker, but in the end I take a lot of store out of the personal assurance that Prime Minister Najib gave me,” he told reporters at a post cabinet press conference.
“I don't really have much of an update, except to say that we're confident the process will run its course and the gentleman will return to New Zealand,” he said when asked how long the process would take.
Earlier this week at the TVNZ’s Breakfast show, Key told that he had the “absolute commitment” from Najib to ensure Rizalman will return to face the charges of burglary and assault with intent to rape.
Rizalman, was arrested by New Zealand police on May 9 and charged the next day with alleged burglary and assault with intent to rape on 21-year-old Tania Billingsley.
Both charges carry the maximum penalty of 10 years in jail.
Rizalman returned to Malaysia on diplomatic immunity, which sparked a public dispute between the two countries, following accusations that he abused diplomatic privilege to escape prosecution.
He had been scheduled to be sent back to New Zealand in July, but was delayed after a psychiatric examination stated he was not fit to travel.
