A couple caught by enforcement officers holding hands in a public park have been charged in court with indecent behaviour, local media said today.

Ooi Kean Tong, 22, was charged yesterday for allegedly hugging and kissing his girlfriend Siow Ai Wei, 20, in a Kuala Lumpur park, the New Straits Times reported.

Ooi pleaded not guilty to the charge of indecent behaviour and his case will be heard in court on July 21. If found guilty, he could face a maximum fine of RM2,000 or a year in jail or both.

Siow will be served with the summons next week, the report said.

The couple were caught on Aug 2 last year by City Hall officers responsible for enfocing local government regulations.

The case provoked a public outcry at the time when the couple said they were only holding hands and alleged that they were issued a summons because they had refused to bribe the officers, who were charged with corruption in January.

Non-governmental organisations and government politicans have decried the move, saying it would make Malaysia the laughing stock of the world and affect its booming tourism industry. - AFP