Restaurant owner Tan Poh Gin pleaded not guilty to the charge and requested the Sessions Court here to let her out on bail, as she had to take care of two young children aged four and seven.

“My four-year-old son has fever, I have to take care of him, please allow me bail,” Tan asked judge Norhayati Mohamad Yunus.

Tan, who was unrepresented, made the plea after deputy public prosecutor S Selvaranjini suggested that Tan be denied bail.

Norhayati then allowed bail of RM15,000 in one surety. She set April 10 for mention of the case.

Norhayati told Tan to get a lawyer.

Tan was charged with trafficking and exploting Indonesian national Juliana, 19, as forced labour at her restaurant in Lebuh Murai, Taman Rantau Damai, in Nibong Tebal.

She was accused of committing the offence between January 2015 and Feb 1 this year.

Tan was charged under Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.

The section carries a jail term of 15 years and a fine upon conviction.