The Malaysian government is ready to send former military attaché Muhammad Rizalman Ismail to New Zealand to stand trial, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"We are now only waiting for the official request to be made by the New Zealand government," a ministry spokesperson told Malaysiakini today.

In immediate response, New Zealand said that Rizalman's return is still subject legal arrangements.

Stuff.co.nz reported that a New Zealand ministry of foreign affairs spokesperson said the ministry is unable to comment further.

Rizalman faces charges of burglary and assault with intent of rape at a Wellington court.

On Aug 26, Armed Forces chief Gen Zulkifeli Mohd Zin announced that Rizalman's psychiatric evaluation has been completed, but no date has been set to send him to New Zealand.

"There are certain procedures that need to be followed," the general told a press conference that day.

Rizalman is accused of perpetrating the crime against 22-year-old New Zealander Tania Billingsley on May 9, and was arrested the following day.

He was posted at the Malaysian High Commission in Wellington at the time.

However, after being charged, Rizalman was flown back to Malaysia on May 22 after he invoked diplomatic immunity.

A miscommunication by New Zealand Foreign Affairs Ministry had reportedly led their Malaysian counterparts to the mistaken impression that it has no objection to Rizalman’s departure.

Billingsley later waived court protection against naming her as an alleged rape victim, and publically demanded New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully to apologise for the gaffe.