JOHOR BARU, March 19 -- An elderly man has claimed trial to a fresh charge of slapping a non-Muslim man for eating in public during Ramadan.

The accused, Abdul Razak Ismail, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out in the Magistrates' Court here today.

Earlier, the 65-year-old retiree was released after the Magistrate's Court granted a discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA). He had already pleaded guilty then.

He was charged with slapping a non-Muslim man at a convenience store in a shopping mall here last Sunday.

The amended charge under Section 323 of the Penal Code for voluntary causing hurt was read out before Magistrate A. Shaarmini.

Abdul Razak was charged with intentionally causing injury to a young man at Lot L1 ...