Chan Wan Kooi nodded after the charge of abetment was read in Mandarin before judge Hazeelia Muhammad, Berita Harian reported.

No plea was recorded as the case falls under the High Court’s jurisdiction.

Chan is charged with abetting Chong Shih Ming, Luong Van Tung and Tran Van Chung in kidnapping a 59-year-old man for the purpose of demanding a RM20 million ransom.

The offence was allegedly committed at a house on Jalan Straits View, Johor Bahru, at around 5am on Oct 13.

The charge was framed under Section 3(1) of the Kidnapping Act 1961 for abduction for ransom, and read with Section 109 of the Penal Code for abetment.

She faces a prison sentence of 30 to 40 years and caning, if convicted.

Lawyer BS Jagjit Singh asked the court to allow his client to post bail, saying she had been in remand for a long time, had heart problems and needed to undergo periodical health checkups.

However, deputy public prosecutor Umar Faiz Abdul Kohar objected.

The court did not allow the accused to post bail and fixed Nov 17 for mention.