AFTER HELPING & SHIELDING SEX-ATTACK DIPLOMAT FOR 18 MONTHS, 'DOUBLE STANDARDS' HISHAM TURNS ON THE HYPOCRISY

Military attaché Muhammad Rizalman Ismail invoked diplomatic immunity and was "protected" by the Malaysian government 18 months ago when the Kiwi authorities wanted to extradite him to New Zealand for a series of crimes.

Today, he pleaded guilty at the High Court in Wellington to indecent assault, having changed his not-guilty plea, at the last minute.

To add insult to Rizalman's injury, Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein confirmed that the government would not help him and said, “Let him be punished. I have never protected anyone, when it comes to obtaining justice.

“Anyone (under the Defence Ministry or Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM, or Armed Forces)), if found guilty, will still be guilty.

If he is found guilty then he must be punished. He will not get our help.”

Last year, Rizalman's victim, 21-year-old Tania Billingsley, alleged that her house had been burgled and she had been subjected to a sexual attack. When she waived her right to anonymity, and extradition proceedings were started, so that Rizalman would face trial in New Zealand, the Malaysian government was not helpful.

First. Malaysian doctors claimed that the alleged rapist could not travel, because he was depressed and was "not looking good". Somehow, they forgot about the victim, and her trauma and suffering.

Second. When former Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim claimed that the government had sealed documents relating to the sexual assault, and accused it of a cover up, Hishammuddin denied the allegation and said, “For him (Anwar), everything is a cover up.”

Today, Hishammuddin has made a U-turn, and refused to  help Rizalman.

Nur Fitri Azmeer Nordin

It is obvious that when the story broke, the government was running scared.  Today, the government is afraid that it will be seen as the protector of sexual deviants.

Why was a Mara scholar, 23-year old Nur Fitri Azmeer Nordin,  who was accused by the Metropolitan Police of downloading several thousand images and videos of child pornography, given help, and a second chance? Why the double standards?

Why was a Malay interpreter needed for Rizalman's trial? Do our diplomats, who are sent overseas, have a poor command of English?

Why did an expert claim that Rizalman's bizarre behaviour was symptomatic of a cannabis user? Is it true that he has mental health issues? Has anyone asked Rizalman's wife if he is a cannabis user? Were the diplomatic staff not aware that he behaved oddly?

More importantly, has an investigation been conducted, to see if Rizalman has been guilty of other sexual crimes?

There are many questions that need to be answered, but it is doubtful if Hishammuddin and the cabinet will be able to answer them. The order of the day is lie and deny, then turn and burn. - http://theantdaily.com/