Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh, 40, made the plea before magistrate Nadratun Naim Saidi after the charges were read out in Mandarin, Berita Harian reported.

She was charged with driving a Honda Jazz while intoxicated, leading to a loss of control that caused the death of Thomas Ch’ng, 18, at Jalan Jelutong around 9.48pm on Feb 19.

The first charge, under Section 44(1)(b) of the Road Transport Act 1987, carries a prison sentence of 10 to 15 years and a fine of up to RM100,000 upon conviction.

Nguyen was also charged with causing injuries to Ooi Qi Heng, 18, at the same time and location.

The second charge, under Section 44(1A)(a) of the same Act, carries a seven-to-10-year jail term and a fine of RM30,000 to RM50,000.

Deputy public prosecutor M Darrshini prosecuted, while the accused was represented by lawyer K Mahendran.

Lawyers Andy Ooi and RSN Rayer appeared as amicus curiae (friends of the court).

The court granted bail of RM10,000 per charge and ordered Nguyen to surrender her passport. It suspended her driving licence until the case is resolved.

Darrshini initially sought bail of RM15,000 per charge with the same conditions.

However, Mahendran appealed for a reduction, citing that the accused is a mother of three children – aged 16, 10 and one – and is financially dependent on her husband, a hawker earning around RM3,000 per month.

“Since being granted bail, she has complied with police instructions and appeared in court today,” he said.

Rayer opposed bail, citing the accused’s foreign nationality and the public interest in the case.

The case has been set for mention on April 21.