Syafiq Thajudin, 25, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read before judge Surita Budin, Sinar Harian reported.

Syafiq was charged with committing the offence at around 12.30pm on Feb 12, at a flat in Seremban 2. The charge under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and whipping upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Nurul Balkis Zunaidi told the court that Syafiq and the victim were a couple. She proposed granting bail of RM15,000.

Syafiq, who was unrepresented, asked for a minimal bail amount, saying he only earned RM1,700 a month working as a security guard at a hospital.

He said he had known the victim, whom he met at KLIA, for three months.

The court allowed bail of RM10,000 and ordered Syafiq to refrain from contacting the victim or prosecution witnesses. He was also told to report to the police every month.

Mention was fixed for June 16.