An unemployed man, Muhammad Faizal Mahmud Affandi, 27, today claimed trial to the charge of wilfully causing hurt when he punched a salesman in the face, in the brawl at Plaza Low Yat on Nov 12.

Muhammad Faizal is charged with hurting promoter Chea Wei Jian, 23, under Section 323 of the Penal Code at the Kuala Lumpur Magistrate's Court, Bernama reported.

If guilty, he can be jailed for up to one year or fined up to RM2,000 or both.

He also pleaded not guilty to the charge of disrupting public peace by causing a commotion at the same place, under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act. He can be fined up to RM100.

The accused, who was dressed in a green batik shirt, kicked the witness stand when the charges were read.

“Calm down. You cannot be angry like this in a court room. If you are not guilty, appoint a defence lawyer,” magistrate Saifulakmal Saide told him

He was declined bail after prosecutor Zuraimi Kamarozzaman told the court that he is a flight risk.

The case is set for mention on Dec 15.

Police earlier said Muhammad Faizal, who has a criminal record, is mentally unstable .

He had attacked the promoter over a road traffic dispute he had with the promoter’s colleague, police said.

Another dispute at Plaza Low Yat escalated into a race riot in front of the Bukit Bintang shopping mall in July.