Agus Rizal Mat Ali, 50, a director of UC Travel Sdn Bhd, was charged with advertising haj package services using the furada visa for the 2022 season on the company’s Facebook page, claiming that he could organise travel for the purpose of pilgrimage to the holy land although the company did not have a valid haj operator licence from Lembaga Tabung Haji.

Agus was accused of committing the offence at his office at Platinum Walk, Jalan Langkawi 2, Danau Kota here on May 9.

The charge was framed under Section 27 (1) (b) of the Tabung Haji Act 1995 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 upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutors Nur Aqilah Ishak and Hanis Anisha Jamilludin led the prosecution in the proceedings before judge Kamarudin Kamsun. Agus, who pleaded not guilty, was represented by lawyers Dhanaraj Vasudevan and Ho Cheng En.

The court allowed bail of RM50,000 in one surety and fixed Sept 8 for mention.

On Aug 2, the media reported that 132 police reports related to cases of fraudulent packages for performing haj and umrah using furada visas had been lodged, involving losses of over RM5.6 million.

Bukit Aman secretary Noorsiah Mohd Saaduddin said 336 victims were involved.