SEREMBAN: A 47-year-old man caught in a clip allegedly slashing another man at a shopping complex here has claimed trial to the charge at the Sessions Court here on Friday (April 18).
R. Suresh Khanna pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to him before judge Surita Budin.
The accused, a site manager, was charged with using a machete to slash B. Nagarajah, 40, at an outlet on the first floor of a shopping complex.
The offence was allegedly committed at 8.10pm on April 14.
Suresh Khanna was charged under Section 326 of the Penal Code for causing grievous hurt with a weapon.
Offenders can be jailed up to 20 years and fined or caned upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Norazihah Asmuni then told the court the prosecution was not offering the accused bail due to the seriousness of the alleged offence.
Defence lawyer Thayalan Moorthy said although it was not a bailable offence, the court had the discretion to allow it.
He said the accused suffered from several ailments and also had to provide for his three children.
"He has a permanent address in Port Dickson as well as a permanent job earning about RM3,000 a month.
"It is my hope he is given a low bail as he is not a flight risk," he said.
Thayalan said the accused also had a hospital appointment next week.
The accused, he said, had surrendered to police following the incident to assist in investigations.
Judge Surita then fixed bail at RM15,000 with one surety.
She also told the accused not to contact prosecution witnesses, to report at the nearest police station once a month and to surrender his passport to the court if he had one.
She fixed May 19 for mention.
A clip showing a man slashing a male victim with a machete at the shopping centre near here had gone viral following the incident.
The victim, who was attacked while he was smoking and alone inside the building, managed to get away from the assailant and was saved by his friends who were in the vicinity.
He suffered injuries to both arms, his back, and his right leg, and was rushed to the hospital, where his condition was reported to be stable.
