Low Kean Peng, a part-time event planner, was allegedly driving a car with 196mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, exceeding the permitted limit of 50mg per 100ml.

He was accused of causing grievous injury to motorcyclist Zulfiqar Zamir Amirul Nizam, 26, while driving under the influence. The offence was allegedly committed at Persiaran Kota in Klang at about 12.35am on May 13.

Low was charged under Section 44(1A) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which provides for seven to 10 years’ jail, and a fine of between RM30,000 and RM50,000.

He entered the plea after the charge was read out to him before magistrate A Karthiyayini. The court allowed him bail of RM10,000 with one surety and ordered him to report to the police station twice a month.

The court also directed the suspension of his licence until the disposal of the case, and fixed July 30 for mention.

Deputy public prosecutor Nadia Syuhada Rosli proposed bail of RM15,000, citing the seriousness of the offence. However, defence counsel Ethan Tan asked for a lower amount, citing his client’s monthly income of about RM2,000.

Tan said Low supports his elderly parents, and that his mother suffers from diabetes and his father is undergoing cancer treatment.

He also submitted that the presumption of innocence should apply to Low, who has not been convicted and has the right to defend himself in court.