GEORGE TOWN: A motorcyclist, who was caught on video hurling verbal abuses at a traffic policeman for issuing him with a summons, was charged at the magistrate's court here today.
Unemployed Goh Weng Keong, 25, claimed trial for the offence when the charge was read to him in Hokkien by the interpreter before magistrate Nadratun Naim Mohd Saidi.
Goh was accused of humiliating Corporal Nik Muhammad Faizal Nik Long by hurling verbal abuses in front of the bus stop at Jalan Thean Teik, Air Itam, about 6.45pm on Wednesday.
He was charged under Section 509 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of five years' jail and a fine upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor M. Darrshini asked the court to set bail at RM9,000 with one surety.
She also asked the court to impose an additional condition that the accused does not disturb the prosecution witnesses.
Goh, represented by a National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK) lawyer, told the court he was single and unemployed.
"We request for a minimal bail," he said.
Nadratun set bail at RM8,000 with one surety.
"The accused is also not allowed to disturb any witnesses in the case," she said.
Earlier, Goh asked for the translation of the charge read to him in Malay.
"What is she (the interpreter) saying? What? What?" he was heard asking the other accused seated next to him in Hokkien.
Nadratun then asked the court interpreter to get a Chinese-speaking interpreter for Goh.
Later, when Goh was led out of the courtroom, he was seen wiping his face and eyes to shield away from press photographers.
He also used his red T-shirt to cover the lower half of his face and had his head bowed throughout.
The court fixed Nov 14 for mention pending submission of documents and for the accused to appoint a lawyer.