KUALA LUMPUR: The Sessions Court here has ordered a travel agency director to enter his defence on a charge of advertising haj package services using furada visa (private haj visa) without having a valid licence from Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH).
Judge Mohd Kafli Che Ali made the order after finding that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against UC Travel Sdn Bhd director Agus Rizal Mat Ali (pic) at the end of the prosecution’s case.
“After hearing the testimony of eight prosecution witnesses as well as arguments by the prosecution and the defence, the court found that the prosecution succeeded in proving a prima facie case.
“Therefore, the accused is ordered to enter his defence against the charge,” said the judge, Bernama reported.
He said the accused has three options – to remain silent and not answer the charge, to testify under oath from the dock without being cross-examined, or to testify under oath from the witness stand and cross-examined by the prosecution.
Lawyer Nik Mohamed Ikhwan Nik Mahamud, representing Agus, then informed the court that his client would testify under oath from the witness stand.
The court set Feb 23 and March 1 for the defence trial.
On Aug 9, 2022, Agus pleaded not guilty to advertising haj package services using furada visa for the 2022M/1443H season on the company’s Facebook page, claiming that he could organise travel while not having a valid licence from TH to do so.
He was charged with committing the offence at his office at Platinum Walk, Jalan Langkawi 2, Danau Kota here on May 9, 2022.
The charge was framed under Section 27(1)(b) of the Tabung Haji Act 1995 and punishable under Section 27(2) of the same law, which provides for a maximum fine of RM100,000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year or both if convicted.
Deputy public prosecutor Akmalzatul Mohd Nawi prosecuted.
