Bernama reported that the 34-year-old man and 33-year-old woman, who were married when the alleged offence was committed, pleaded not guilty to the charge read out separately before judge Egusra Ali.

The man, who is the girl’s biological father, allegedly abandoned or exposed his 10-year-old daughter in a manner likely to cause her physical or emotional injury at a condominium in Jalan Kuching, Sentul, Kuala Lumpur, between 9pm and 11pm on Nov 21.

The woman is charged with causing physical injury to the girl, who is her stepdaughter, at the same place, time and date.

They were charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which provides for a fine of up to RM50,000, or up to 20 years’ imprisonment or both upon conviction.

The court allowed both accused bail of RM10,000 each and ordered them to report to the nearest police station and not intimidate witnesses. They were also ordered to surrender their passports to the court.

Deputy public prosecutor Siti Nursyuhada Abd Rauf appeared for the prosecution, while lawyers Farriz Minarwan Basaruddin and Zainuddin Abu Bakar represented the man and his ex-wife, respectively.

The court set Jan 23 for mention.