Tan Boon Pew, 36, was accused of causing serious injuries to store assistant Lee Foo Beng, 51, on Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah at about 4.10am on Dec 9, 2018, by driving his vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

He was charged under Section 44(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which carries a maximum 10-year jail sentence and a fine if found guilty.

Tan claimed trial after the charges were read to him. Deputy public prosecutor Rais Imran Hamid asked the court to impose bail of RM10,000 pending his next court mention.

Tan’s lawyer Willie Ong asked the court for a lower bail amount as he was the sole breadwinner, earning RM2,500 a month and having to support his parents financially.

Magistrate Nur Azzuin Abdul Moati set bail at RM8,000 in one surety and ordered the suspension of Tan’s driving licence until the case is over. She also set Feb 21 for mention.

Reports had said that Lee was a marshal with the Penang Amateur Athletic Association (PAAA) for their annual round-the-island relay in December 2018.

They said Lee was riding on a motorcycle with a 16-year-old runner riding pillion when the incident happened.

Lee was said to have been thrown to the opposite side of the road, while the pillion rider broke both his legs.

Lee’s brother Foo Beng told FMT: “My brother is still in bed. He can’t move at all.”