Hours after Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman played down accusations the country was out to protect a Malaysian diplomat accused of sexual assault, the New Zealand government has turned the tables on him.

New Zealand released documents rebutting Anifah's claim that Wellington had offered to allow Muhmmad Rizalman Ismail to return home despite the alleged offence.

The documents also show that the Malaysian side asked for the charges of burglary and assault with the intent to rape against Rizalman to be dropped.