SHAH ALAM – An arrest warrant has been issued by the sessions court here against a businessman with the Datuk Seri title for failing to show up to face charges in relation to the release of 22 Chinese nationals detained for their involvement in online gambling.
The warrant for Mohammed Al Faizal Mohammed, 45, was issued by judge Rozilah Salleh following a request by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission deputy public prosecutor Fadhli Ab Wahab.
Earlier, T. Tamil Salvan, the lawyer representing the accused, told the court that his client has been admitted to a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur for arthritis.
He said Al Faizal was unable to inform the court about this in time, and that Tamil Salvan himself found out about his client’s condition only today.
Rozilah ordered the lawyer produce a medical certificate indicating that Al Faizal is unfit to attend court.
Fadhli then said the prosecution contacted the hospital and was told that the accused was allowed to appear in court today.
The court postponed the case to tomorrow.
Al Faizal was supposed to appear today to face two charges, including an alternative charge, in connection with the release of the Chinese nationals, who were arrested by police and placed under Immigration Department custody.
On March 18, the accused was charged at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court with four counts, including two of accepting a RM176,000 bribe from a businessman as an inducement to release the Chinese nationals. – Bernama, March 22, 2021
