A businessman with Datuk title, and his wife, pleaded not guilty at the Selayang Magistrate's Court here, to a charge of hiring an Indonesian worker without permit.

Datuk Mohd Badlishah Abdullah, 53, and his wife, Shapiza Abdul Aziz, 40, were charged with hiring Indonesian national Herodian Nauf, 37, who did not have any valid travel document, at their house in Bandar Country Homes, Rawang, Selangor, at 7.30pm on March 7.

The couple was charged under Section 55B(1) of the Immigration Act 1959/1963 which carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or 12 months' jail, or both, if convicted.

Magistrate Nurul Izzah Hasan Basri allowed both the accused bail of RM10,000 in one surety and ordered them to surrender their passports to the court.

May 15 was set for remention. -- Bernama