Former Malaysian military attache Muhammad Rizalman Ismail was finally remanded by a New Zealand court today after fleeing the country for 155 days.

He was extradited to New Zealand yesterday by Wisma Putra, and reportedly spent the night in Manukau police station upon arrival at the Auckland International Airport, according to stuff.co.nz .

Today he appeared before Justice of the Peace Hewitt Humphrey at the Wellington District Court where he was remanded and due to reappear on Tuesday.

Rizalman's appointed lawyer, Donald Stevens QC, who is not appointed by the Malaysian government, made no application for bail.

At the sitting, the media also applied to film and photograph the court proceedings but was opposed by Rizalman's counsel, citing, among others, that it may affect his client's right to a fair trial.

The court eventually granted use of footage of the proceedings by the media but not that of the accused.

Rizalman, who was attached to the Malaysian High Commission in Wellington, was hastily flown out of New Zealand on May 22 after being charged with alleged burglary and assault with an intention to commit rape.

He was arrested by New Zealand police on May 9, after allegedly following 21-year-old Tania Billingsley home and committing the alleged offences, and was charged the next day.

Possible 10 years' jail

Both offences carry a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment.

His fleeing New Zealand first came into public knowledge on June 30, sparking public outrage.

The revelation led to diplomatic back and forth exchanges between Putrajaya and Wellington with  the Malaysian government promising to extradite Rizalman while the New Zealand government vowed the matter would not go unpunished.

However, the long drawn process to extradite Rizalman took several months and he finally landed on New Zealand soil some 155 days after he first left the country.

According to stuff.co.nz , Rizalman is believed to have arrived in New Zealand at midnight local time, escorted by two police officers and two Malaysian plainclothes police officers.

His departure from Kuala Lumpur International Airport was kept out of public view as he was ushered through a special entrance.