The Malaysian military attache who is wanted by New Zealand is expected to be sent to New Zealand on Monday.

According to New Zealand Herald quoting sources, four seats for a flight on Monday night to Auckland have been blocked and no names were disclosed for the seats.

The report did not name the airline but it could be Malaysian Airlines MH131 which departs at 9.20pm and arrives in Auckland the next day.

The report added Muhammad Rizalman Ismail, who is accused of burglary and assault with the intent to rape, is expected to discharged from Tuanku Mizan Military Hospital in Kuala Lumpur after undergoing psychiatric evaluation.

The report quoted an unnamed doctor at the hospital, which it said is a high ranking military staffer, as saying that Rizalman will be sent back to New Zealand as soon as the evaluation was completed.

"We just need to get the results and wait for the doctor's report and he will be discharged," he was quoted as saying.

Rizalman was arrested in Wellington on May 9 after he followed a 21-year-old woman home and allegedly assaulted her.

Immunity waiver

New Zealand authorities had requested for Rizalman's immunity to be waive for legal action to be taken against him but the Malaysian High Commission had refused and demanded that Rizalman be flown out of the country immediately.

Rizalman returned to Malaysia on May 22.

The matter only came to public attention in New Zealand more than a month later - on June 28 - sparking outrage and a diplomatic tiff.

Following this, Foreign Minister Anifah Aman at a press conference on July 1 said the Malaysian government was prepared to send Rizalman back to face the law in New Zealand.

This was likewise echoed by Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.

Avoid trial by media

Meanwhile, Hishammuddin today urged the local press to avoid trial by the media.

According to Bernama , the minister said the media attention Rizalman was unfair to him and his family as he had yet to be tried in New Zealand.

"This has nothing to do with polemics, geopolitical or bilateral ties. It is a question of justice, not only to the victim but also the accused," he told reporters after attending the breaking of fast with community leaders in Seri Bendahara, Malacca today.

Hishammuddin said Rizalman would be provided with legal assistance to enable him to get a fair defence.

"He (Rizalman) will be escorted by a military officer when he returns to New Zealand.

"The counsel as well as an officer from the Attorney-General's Chambers will go along with them."

Unanswered questions abound in Rizalman affair

‘Putrajaya, we’re no idiots, it was a cover-up’