Justice Azhar Abdul Hamid ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the accused, Shamsudin Ishak.

He said the court found that the charge brought against Shamsudin, 51, under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) Act 2007 was legally sound.

“Based on the evidence presented, the court has conducted a thorough assessment and finds that the prosecution has successfully proven all elements of the offence under Section 26(e) of Atipsom (for human trafficking).

“Therefore, the court concludes that a prima facie case has been established. In accordance with Section 180(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code, the accused is hereby ordered to enter his defence,” Utusan Malaysia reported Azhar as saying.

The court set May 8 and 9 for the defence proceedings.

Deputy public prosecutors Noor Haslinda Che Seman, Christopher Enteri Mawan and Nadia Izahar acted for the prosecution, while Shamsudin was represented by T Harpal Singh.

On Jan 5, 2023, the High Court released Shamsudin and another immigration officer on bail over charges of human trafficking pending the outcome of their trial.

Shamsudin was charged with preparing a fraudulent visa under the MM2H programme for Vanuatuan national Li Xing Qiang.

The other immigration officer, Junaina Taat, was charged with abetting him.