Chai Kaw Fung, who works at a car accessories shop, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read before judge Thalha Bachok @ Embok Mok, Berita Harian reported.

Chai was charged with setting a Toyota Vios belonging to his wife, See Li Jing, 21, on fire at Jalan Tebrau, Johor Bahru, at around 10.20pm on Feb 2.

The charge was framed under Section 435 of the Penal Code, which provides for up to 14 years in prison and a fine.

Deputy public prosecutor Siti Fatimah Mamu prosecuted while Chai was represented by lawyer Goh Sze Han.

Siti asked the court to set bail at RM20,000 and to order the accused to surrender his passport. Goh sought a lower amount and asked the court to allow his client to keep his passport, saying Chai needed to travel to Singapore frequently for work.

“The accused only earns RM3,000 a month and has to care for his two-year-old child and elderly parents,” he added.

Thalha granted bail of RM8,000 and ordered Chai to surrender his passport to the court. The judge fixed March 11 for the submission of documents.