The accused: Teoh seen outside the Magistrate's Court in Butterworth, Penang. — Bernama
BUTTERWORTH: A service engineer pleaded not guilty to a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol that resulted in the death of two teachers.
Teoh Joo Leong, 47, claimed trial when the charge was read to him before magistrate Siti Zulaikha Nordin @ Ghani.
He is said to have driven under the influence of alcohol that caused the death of Muhammad Fakhrul Rodzi Fauzi, 31, and Muhammed Ahsan Mohamed Ayub, 32.
The alleged incident took place along Jalan Permatang Baru Nawar in the north Seberang Prai district at 2.30am on Dec 16 last year.
Teoh is charged under Section 44(1)(b) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which carries a jail term of between 10 and 15 years, and a fine of between RM50,000 and RM100,000, upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurameera Shahrul Azrin urged the court to set bail at RM10,000.
Lawyer Benjamin Tan asked for a lower bail, saying that his client was cooperative and not a flight risk.
He told the court that his client earned RM7,000 as a service engineer and was divorced.
“My client has to care for three school-going children and elderly parents. A bailor is here to bail him out. As such, we asked for a minimal bail,” he said.
Siti Zulaikha set bail at RM8,000 in one surety and fixed March 7 for the submission of documents.
It was reported that two friends died when the car they were travelling in crashed with Teoh’s car in Jalan Permatang Baru on Dec 16.
Police subsequently detained Teoh.
