Former Malaysian diplomat admits attacking New Zealand woman

A former Malaysian diplomat who sparked an international incident when he attacked on a young woman in her Wellington home pleaded guilty Monday to a charge of indecent assault.

Muhammad Rizalman, 39, who was Malaysian defense attache in Wellington when the attack occurred in May last year, admitted the charge in the High Court in Wellington, Radio New Zealand reported.

Charges of burglary and assault with intent to commit sexual violation were dismissed.

Prosecuting lawyer Abigail van Echten on Monday told the court that the victim, Tania Billingsley, was watching a movie on her laptop at her home when Rizalman, naked from the waist down, entered the house through an unlocked door.

Rizalman grabbed Billingsley by the shoulders and a struggle ensued before she removed him from the house and called the police, Radio New Zealand reported van Echten as saying.

Rizalman's lawyer, Donald Stevens, said in the report that Rizalman was suffering from a mental illness at the time of the incident.

A disputed facts hearing would be held in the Wellington High Court on Friday.

Justice David Collins did not enter a conviction as Stevens indicated Rizalman would seek a discharge without conviction.

The case became an international incident after Rizalman was allowed to claim diplomatic immunity and return home in the wake of the offense.

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 last year after revelations that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) had mistakenly given Malaysian diplomats the impression that New Zealand officials would not object to Rizalman claiming immunity and returning home.

McCully said in December last year that the inquiry had been completed with a raft of recommendations, but it would not be published until the end of Rizalman's trial.

Opposition lawmakers on Monday demanded the report be released in full given Rizalman's guilty plea.

Foreign affairs spokesperson for the main opposition Labour Party, David Shearer, said the victim deserved answers to questions over the handling of the case.

"Why, for instance, were the Malaysian authorities told by our government that it was okay to plead diplomatic immunity and take Rizalman home?" Shearer asked in a statement.

"And why have Murray McCully and MFAT persisted in concealing all information on this case?" Endit