The Malaysian military official accused of attempting to sexually assault a woman in Wellington, leaves for New Zealand today to face trial.

Muhammad Rizalman Ismail is being accompanied by two New Zealand police officers and two Malaysian military officers.

The extradition request was made by New Zealand on October 3.

Muhammad Rizalman was working at the Malaysian Embassy in Wellington when he was arrested on May 9 for allegedly following a 21-year-old woman home and assaulting her.

The 35-year-old was charged with burglary and attempted rape, but was allowed to leave New Zealand just weeks later following a blunder by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.