Two married couples pleaded not guilty at three separate Magistrates’ Courts in Johor Bahru on Monday after being charged with multiple offences, including allegedly causing injuries to three Indonesian domestic helpers last year.
The accused were identified as Muhamad Firdaus Sha’aban, 33, and his wife Nurafiqah Nabila Hazhar, 33, as well as Muhamad Hirzihaziq Abulae’s, 30, and his wife Nurfarah Ainna Hazhar, 34.
According to the charges read before Magistrate Atifah Hazimah Wahab, all four were accused of intentionally causing hurt to a domestic helper, Yulia Arnida, 34, at a house along Jalan Ledang, Tampoi, at around 8.30pm on December 22, 2025. The offence was framed under Section 323 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 34, which carries a penalty of up to one year in prison, a fine of up to RM2,000, or both upon conviction.
In a separate court before Magistrate A Shaarmini, Muhamad Firdaus and Nurafiqah Nabila also claimed trial to a charge of jointly causing injuries to another Indonesian maid, Yatina Yusnita. The same couple further pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Tan Chiew King to allegedly causing hurt to another foreign domestic worker, Siti Hajar.
Court documents stated that the alleged incidents involving Yatina and Siti Hajar took place at a residence near Jalan Delima 2/6, Taman Daya, between 2pm and 4pm on June 11. Cases involving domestic workers often attract significant public attention, especially when allegations of abuse and mistreatment surface.
The legal proceedings come just days after a viral video linked to the case circulated widely on social media, sparking public debate over the treatment of domestic helpers and the importance of protecting workers’ rights.
Meanwhile, Muhamad Hirzihaziq and Nurfarah Ainna separately pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Shaarmini to charges of criminal intimidation involving threats to injure Yatina and Siti Hajar with the intention of causing fear.
Muhamad Hirzihaziq also denied a similar charge involving Siti Hajar before Magistrate Tan, while Nurfarah Ainna pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Atifah Hazimah to threatening Yatina.
The alleged intimidation offences were said to have occurred in Kampung Melayu Majidee at around 2pm on June 12. They were charged under Section 506 of the Penal Code, which provides for a jail term of up to two years, a fine, or both if convicted.
Adding to the legal troubles, Muhamad Firdaus faced two additional charges for allegedly possessing Indonesian passports belonging to Siti Hajar and Yatina without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.
He pleaded not guilty to the offences, which were allegedly committed at the D7 Branch Office of the Criminal Investigation Department at the Johor Bahru Utara District Police Headquarters at approximately 7.30pm on June 13.
The charges were brought under Section 12(1)(f) of the Passport Act 1966, an offence punishable by a fine of up to RM10,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both upon conviction.
The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutors Sarah Siti Aisyah Mustapha Kamal, Anis Shafeeqah Mohd Shariffudin and Nor Deana Aqilah Aliman. The four accused were represented by lawyers Kamal Hisham Jaafar and Nurainaa Kamilah Zalizan.
All four were granted bail by the courts. Nurfarah Ainna and Muhamad Hirzihaziq were each released on RM9,000 bail, while Muhamad Firdaus was granted bail of RM11,500 and Nurafiqah Nabila RM5,500.
The courts fixed July 23 for case mention and document submission before Magistrates Atifah Hazimah and Tan, while the case before Magistrate Shaarmini has been scheduled for mention on July 2.
