Amirul Iskandar Norhanizan, 22, was accused of assaulting Salman Saiful Surash, 20, by placing a hot iron on his chest at the UPNM hostel on Oct 22.

Amirul faces a maximum jail term of 10 years or a fine, and could also be whipped, if convicted.

Judge Egusra Ali granted him bail of RM20,000 in two sureties, and scheduled Dec 27 for case management.

Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Sabri Othman urged the court to set bail at RM30,000, citing the gravity of the alleged offence.

“The victim suffered second degree burns on his chest,” he said.

Sabri also asked the court to bar Amirul from contacting potential witnesses in the case.

He said the prosecution will call Amirul’s peers and university’s officers to testify.

Amirul, who was not represented, pleaded for a lower bail amount, saying he is still studying.

He also gave an undertaking that he will attend every court proceeding.