Teoh Joo Leong, 47, claimed trial when the charge was read out to him before magistrate Siti Zulaikha Nordin @ Ghani.

Teoh was charged with driving with a blood alcohol level exceeding the permitted limit, causing the death of Fakhrul Rodzi Fauzi, 31, and Ahsan Ayub, 32, at Jalan Permatang Baru near here at about 2.30am on Dec 16, 2023.

He was charged under Section 44(1)(b) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which carries a jail term of 10 to 15 years and a fine of up to RM100,000, upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Nurameera Shahrul Azrin asked the court to set bail of RM10,000 with one surety.

But lawyer Anthony Chew, representing Teoh, asked for a minimum bail amount, saying his client was a widower who had to care for three schoolgoing children and his elderly parents.

Siti set bail at RM8,000 with one surety and fixed March 7 for the submission of documents.