Malaysian teacher Nurul Ruhana Ishak, who has been charged with criminal trespass, did not show up for her first scheduled court appearance on Wednesday due to medical reasons.

Malaysia Deputy High Commissioner Kamsiah Kamaruddin told The Straits Times that "Nurul is deemed unfit to attend trial" and that the case has now been postponed to Feb 26.

The postponement was requested by prosecutors based on recommendations by doctors at the Institute of Mental Health, where Nurul has been remanded for about two weeks, and where she will continue to receive medication till her court appearance, added Ms Kamsiah.

Nurul, a 28-year-old native of Kedah state who is said to have a long history of mental illness, allegedly slipped past immigration officers at the Woodlands checkpoint on Jan 17.

She was arrested three days later when she entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs compound without authorisation.