Johor bahru: An Indonesian woman pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here today to a charge of exposing a one-year-old girl to physical harm in December last year. Yulia Arnida, 34, entered the plea after the charge was read out before Judge Madihah Zainol.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the former maid from Aceh was charged with exposing the child to physical harm by allegedly pulling her hair until her head was lifted and forcefully tugging her right arm, resulting in bruises. She was alleged to have committed the offence at a house on Jalan Ledang, Taman Johor on Dec 21, 2025.

The charge falls under Section 31(1)(a) of the Children Act 2001, which is punishable under Section 31(1) of the same act, providing for a maximum fine of RM20,000, or imprisonment of up to 20 years, or both upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Manushri Suthakar proposed bail at RM20,000. Additional conditions were suggested, requiring the accused to report to the nearest police station once a month, surrender her passport to the court, and refrain from disturbing the victim and prosecution witnesses.

Lawyer Jason Tan Ka Yan, representing the accused, requested a lower bail, citing that his client has two school-going children aged seven and eight in Aceh and must support her ailing parents. However, the court did not grant bail after the defence informed that her passport was in the custody of a third party and could not be handed over to the court as required.

The court ordered that the accused be detained at the Simpang Renggam Detention Centre in Kluang until temporary travel documents are issued by the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Johor Bahru, with June 29 set for the mention of the case and submission of documents.