M'sia police charges suspects in bak kut teh eatery assault case, court denies bail request

Three men who beat up a man for allegedly staring at one of them have been charged in Kuala Lumpur's Sessions Court on the morning of May 14.

The incident occurred at a bak kut teh eatery in Jalan Besar Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, on May 7 at about 2am.

According to China Press, the defendants were 49-year-old carpenter Wang Ronglun, 33-year-old electrician Lai Kaibin, and 30-year-old funeral worker Wan Kaihui (transliteration).

The men were accused of intentionally injuring 48-year-old Zheng Dehua (transliteration).

The victim, who is reportedly an engineer, needed four stitches on his head injury, reported China Press.

All three men applied for bail

They were charged under Section 326 of Malaysia's Penal Code for causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means, which was read together with Section 34 for common intention.

All three suspects confirmed that they understood the charges read to them in Mandarin by a court interpreter, but pleaded not guilty.

The defence counsel representing the three men applied for bail.

A lawyer cited that the men had surrendered after the crime and that Sungai Buloh Prison in Selangor was overcrowded, reported Sinchew Daily.

The public prosecutor cited the gravity of the offence, the potential risk of flight and the possibility of reoffending.

Session Court Judge Norlida binti Abu Hassan sided with the public prosecutor and denied the bail request.

According to Sinchew Daily, the case has been set for a mention on Jun. 15.

If convicted, the men face a sentence of up to 20 years' imprisonment, along with a fine or caning based on Malaysian law.