KUALA LUMPUR: A vegetable trader, who was recently seen in a viral video of a parking lot scuffle in Kepong here, was charged with slashing his victim with a cleaver and carrying an offensive weapon in public.
Wan Ken Fei, 28, pleaded not guilty to both charges before Sessions Court judge Dr Azrol Abdullah today.
On the first count, he was accused of deliberately causing grievous hurt to Muhammad Aidiel Zulhilmi Mohammad Yusri, 24, by using a weapon that could likely cause death.
The charge carried a maximum jail term of 20 years, with a fine or whipping upon conviction.
On the second count, he was charged with possessing a scheduled dangerous weapon in public – a cleaver measuring 32cm.
The charge provided a jail term of not less than five years and not more than 10 years, and also whipping if found guilty.
Wan allegedly committed the offences at 5.30pm at the Pekan Kepong flats on Sept 4.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Ikhwan Mohd Nasir did not offer bail as the charges were non-bailable.
In mitigation, defence lawyer Mohamad Zaidi Othman asked the court to use its discretion to offer bail as his client needed to support his parents.
"His absence will inconvenience his parents who have chronic diseases. He is not a flight risk. He is willing to comply with additional conditions, such as surrendering his passport to the court, reporting to the police station and not harassing prosecution witnesses," he said.
After hearing the submissions, Azrol denied bail to the accused and set Oct 11 for mention.
It was reported that Aidiel Zulhilmi, 24, required 35 stitches on his head and left hand after the attack.
Sentul police chief Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Sukarno Mohd Zahari had said the victim was in a stable condition at Selayang Hospital.
He said the accused, who worked at the Selayang wholesale market, was apprehended by the public and investigators seized a knife, a car and a bunch of keys from him.