Ja’afar Halid, 38, was charged with causing hurt to Lim Boon Leng, 33, by hitting him on the head with the weapon at the exit to the Penang bridge on Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway between 7.15pm and 7.30pm on Dec 1 last year.

The charge, under the Penal Code, provides for imprisonment of up to 20 years, or a fine, or caning, or any two of the punishments, if found guilty.

Ja’afar was first charged with the offence on Dec 14 last year. However, no plea was recorded and he was ordered to be sent to Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta, Perak, for mental observation for a period of one month.

“(Today) A health check conducted on the accused has found him sane and fit for trial,” said Magistrate Sharifah Izura Syed Mashor.

Sharifah Izura set March 22 for mention and for the accused to engage a lawyer and submit the relevant documents.

In another Magistrate’s Court, Jaafar was charged with murdering his employer Ong Teik Kwong, 32, and two others, Choi Hoi Ming, 32, and Senthil Murugiah, 38, at the same place and time.

However, no plea was recorded and the court set March 22 for mention.

Deputy public prosecutor Nurul Fatin Hussin prosecuted.