KUALA LUMPUR – Agus Rizal Mat Ali, who was charged with allegedly advertising a fake furada haj package in 2022, has been ordered to enter his defence today.
Sessions court judge Mohd Kafli Che Ali, in making the ruling, said the prosecution had successfully established a prima facie case against the accused.
Kafli said that this finding resulted from a thorough evaluation of the testimonies provided by all eight prosecution witnesses, as well as the evidence presented in court throughout the trial.
The judge presented Agus with three options: give his sworn evidence from the witness box, give an unsworn statement from the dock where he cannot be cross-examined, or choose to remain silent, in which case the court must proceed to convict him.
Lawyer Nik Mohd Ikhwan Nik Mohamad, representing Agus, said today that his client chose to provide sworn evidence from the witness box.
However, the lawyer said that he has not received any additional instructions regarding the number of defence witnesses to be called apart from Agus.
The 52-year-old was charged on August 9, 2022, under Section 27(1)(b) of the Tabung Haji Act 1995 for advertising haj packages involving furada visas under UC Travel Sdn Bhd.
He claimed that it could facilitate business transactions and organise a haj trip to Mecca under a furada visa.
However, the company does not possess a valid pilgrimage management licence from Tabung Haji.
The furada visa is a self-managed visa issued by the Saudi Arabian embassy, and it does not fall under the Tabung Haji’s yearly haj quota.
If found guilty, Agus could face a maximum imprisonment of one year or a fine of RM100,000.
The judge subsequently scheduled February 23 and March 1 for Agus to present his defence.
The prosecution for the case was managed by deputy public prosecutor Akmalzatul Mohd Nawi today. – January 9, 2024