Khairul Azzuar Yusof, 29, who is waiting to be called up for housemanship, and Mohyuddin Ahmad Fajarudin, 23, who formerly studied for a diploma in oil and gas at a polytechnic, were charged with procuring and living off the immoral earnings of 14 female victims, aged between 14 and 41, including two Indonesians.

Both men pleaded not guilty to the charges that took the court interpreter almost an hour to read before Judge M Kunasundary.

The two accused, who are friends, sobbed when their families approached them in the court after proceedings, before they were escorted to the court lock-up.

The court did not offer them bail.

Khairul faces an additional charge of raping a 14-year-old girl in a house in Bandar Sri Permaisuri, under Section 376 of the Penal Code. He faces up to 20 years in jail and whipping if convicted.

All of the offences were allegedly committed in several hotels in the capital between last June and Feb 7.

Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Abazafree Mohd Abbas did not offer bail because the offences were not bailable and taking into account the safety of the victims.

The judge set April 6 for mention.

Khairul was represented by lawyer P Muniswer and Mohyuddin by Khairuddin Ahmad Faris.