Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim said today he was appalled that Malaysia refused to send its diplomat, accused of sexual assault, back to New Zealand to face charges where the crime allegedly happened.
Speaking to online news portal stuff.co.nz, Anwar said not only were Malaysia's actions illogical, it also cast doubt if the use of diplomatic immunity to fish Muhammad Rizalman Ismail back home was a way to cover up government misconduct, as in the handling of the still missing MAS MH370.
“I am appalled that they had the audacity to suggest that an attempted rape and assault crime should be withdrawn on the basis of diplomatic immunity.
“I know how rotten the failure of the governance here is, but I cannot imagine that we can write to a different country and request the withdrawal of these criminal charges,” Anwar (right) is quoted as saying.
Rizalman was arrested in Wellington on May 9 after an alleged attack on a 21-year-old woman in her house last month.
The PKR leader said the Malaysian government should reconsider its position and let Rizalman face trial in New Zealand.
“We are dealing with New Zealand, there is no question about the independence and due process of the courts,” he said.
Witnesses, police officers and matters pertaining to the investigation are all based in New Zealand. As a result, people cannot expect an expeditious trial in the Malaysian courts, as required by due process.
Anwar added that many women's organisations had also been pestering him to do something.
They expressed their disgust and “protested vehemently” at the use of immunity for an offence of this nature, he said.
Speaking to online news portal stuff.co.nz, Anwar said not only were Malaysia's actions illogical, it also cast doubt if the use of diplomatic immunity to fish Muhammad Rizalman Ismail back home was a way to cover up government misconduct, as in the handling of the still missing MAS MH370.
“I am appalled that they had the audacity to suggest that an attempted rape and assault crime should be withdrawn on the basis of diplomatic immunity.
“I know how rotten the failure of the governance here is, but I cannot imagine that we can write to a different country and request the withdrawal of these criminal charges,” Anwar (right) is quoted as saying.Rizalman was arrested in Wellington on May 9 after an alleged attack on a 21-year-old woman in her house last month.
The PKR leader said the Malaysian government should reconsider its position and let Rizalman face trial in New Zealand.
“We are dealing with New Zealand, there is no question about the independence and due process of the courts,” he said.
Witnesses, police officers and matters pertaining to the investigation are all based in New Zealand. As a result, people cannot expect an expeditious trial in the Malaysian courts, as required by due process.
Anwar added that many women's organisations had also been pestering him to do something.
They expressed their disgust and “protested vehemently” at the use of immunity for an offence of this nature, he said.
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