A news report says a court has charged the man with allegedly unleashing the insects in the neighbour's bed following an argument.

The Star daily reports on Wednesday that R. Prabakaran, aged 21, pleaded not guilty in the court in Johor Baru city on Tuesday to a charge of attempting to cause harm with a dangerous weapon by putting four centipedes and bugs in the bed of his neighbour, K. Rajama, aged 30, last Friday.

Court officials could not immediately be reached to confirm the report. It was not clear what species the centipedes were. Some species are poisonous.

If found guilty, Prabakaran faces up to three years prison and a caning. -- AP