Former Malaysian diplomat denies indecent assault charge in New Zealand

A former Malaysian diplomat accused of a sex attack on a young woman pleaded not guilty on Monday to a charge of indecent assault.

Muhammad Rizalman was appearing in the High Court in Wellington for a pre-trial hearing, Radio New Zealand reported.

He had earlier also denied charges of assault with intent to commit sexual violation and burglary.

A hearing to consider pre-trial matters would take place in August and Rizalman's trial was expected to begin later this year.

The case became an international incident after the then Malaysian defense attache was allowed to claim diplomatic immunity and return home in the wake of the alleged offenses in May last year.

The revelations and ensuing scandal forced the New Zealand government to make an embarrassing request for Rizalman's extradition, which occurred in October last year.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully launched the ministerial inquiry in June after revelations that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade had mistakenly given Malaysian diplomats the impression that New Zealand officials would not object to Rizalman claiming immunity and returning home.

McCully said in last December that the inquiry had been completed with a raft of recommendations, but it would not be published until the end of Rizalman's trial. Endi