On July 6, 2014, Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein announced the Malaysian government’s decision to return Warrant Officer 2 Muhammad Rizalman Ismail to New Zealand in order for him to answer charges of burglary and attempted sexual assault awaiting him there.

Hishammuddin explained that Malaysia believed it was the “right thing to do” and stressed that “justice not only needs to be done, but should also be seen to be done.”
 
General Recommendation 19 of the Convention to Eliminate All Forms of Discrimination against Women (Cedaw), to which Malaysia is a signatory, compels member states to uphold the highest principles of due diligence in order to eliminate all forms of violence against women.

This means that the Malaysian government has a duty, among others, to protect victims of violence, as well as to ensure perpetrators of such violence are properly investigated and prosecuted. Any delay in the returning of Muhammad Rizalman to New Zealand hinders the process of due diligence.

Although the Foreign Minister’s latest statement reiterates its commitment to extradite Muhammad Rizalman, the lack of a concrete deadline for the extradition gives cause for concern.

This continued delay only serves to deny all parties in this matter access to justice. It is therefore necessary in the interest of justice to expedite Muhammad Rizalman’s extradition.

By doing so, Muhammad Rizalman will have an opportunity to either clear his name or be made accountable for his alleged actions against the complainant.
 
The time for excuses and delays is over. We urge the government to show its commitment to zero tolerance for violence against women, both within Malaysia and in the international arena.


JOSHUA TENG HONG GUAN is advocacy officer at the Women's Centre for Change, Penang.