SEREMBAN: A 44-year-old trader claimed trial in the Magistrate's court here to a reckless driving charge which led to the death of a 20-year-old motorcyclist.
P. Mohan pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to him before magistrate Nurul Farha Sulaiman.
The accused, who was driving a van at the scene, was charged with causing the death of Muhammad Annas Iskandar Mohd Khairi at the Matahari Heights traffic light junction along Jalan Persiaran Senawang 1 at around 11.59pm last Saturday (May 3).
He was charged under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which carries a jail term of between five and 10 years and a fine of between RM20,000 and RM50,000 upon conviction.
Those convicted will also be barred from holding a driver's license for a minimum of five years.
Deputy public prosecutor Nadia Ezzati Mohd Zainal then asked the court for another mention date as the chemistry, forensic and Puspakom reports were not ready.
She also asked for bail to be set at RM15,000 with one surety and that the accused's driver's licence be suspended till the case is disposed of.
Mohan's counsel Rajindar Singh said the bail amount proposed by the prosecution was high and suggested an amount of RM5,000.
"The purpose of bail is to ensure the accused’s presence in court, but the amount has to be reasonable.
"The accused earns between RM3,000 and RM3,500 a month and has to provide for his two children who are still studying," he said, adding that Mohan's wife was a florist.
Rajindar said the accused was also screened for substance abuse following the accident, and the results had returned negative.
Magistrate Nurul Farha then set bail at RM7,000 with one surety and ordered the accused's licence to be suspended till the case is disposed of.
She fixed July 3 for mention.
It was earlier reported that the accused had allegedly run a red light and crashed into the victim's motorcycle.
A motorist whose dashboard camera recorded the alleged crash has also come forward to help the police investigation.
