Minister of Foreign Affairs Datuk Seri Anifah Aman speaks during a press conference today regarding the alleged offence committed by a Malaysian Defence staff assistant in New Zealand. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, July 1, 2014.
Malaysia will not be waiving diplomatic immunity for the Malaysian diplomat who is a suspect in a New Zealand sex assault case unless "absolutely necessary", Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said today.
Instead, investigations against Muhammad Rizalman bin Ismail Rizalman will be done in Malaysia, and the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) has already set up a Board of Inquiry to probe into the matter, he said.
"If it is absolutely necessary, that we think it is best to (waive his immunity) we will do it, without hesitation," Anifah (pic) told a press conference in Wisma Putra, Putrajaya.
"But we have utmost confidence in the board of inquiry by Mindef... and they will communicate with the New Zealand authorities."
Anifah also said the waiver would be deemed necessary when New Zealand requested for the 38-year-old's return, out of belief that the investigations in Malaysia were not done properly.
He added that it was the New Zealand authorities who had allowed Rizalman to be brought back to Malaysia in May.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was prepared to waive diplomatic immunity of the accused to enable prosecution under New Zealand law against him to proceed.
"During the discussion on 12 May, the New Zealand side had offered an alternative for the accused to be brought back to Malaysia.
"It was never our intention to treat the matter lightly."
MORE TO COME
- TMI
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