KUALA LUMPUR (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - A singer who made headlines for allegedly keeping a sun bear in her apartment has claimed trial at a Sessions Court in Malaysia to two charges.

Zarith Sofia Yasin, 27, was accused of keeping the sun bear, scientifically known as Helarctos malayanus, without a permit at her condominium in Desa Pandan at about 8pm on June 6.

The charge under Section 69 (1) of the Wildlife Protection Act carries a maximum fine of RM200,000 (S$65,000) or jail of up to 10 years, or both, if convicted.

The singer, a former contestant on the TV programme Rockanova, also claimed trial to a second charge of keeping the sun bear in an environment not conducive to its comfort and well-being.

The charge under Section 86 (1C) of the same Act carries a fine of between RM5,000 and RM50,000 or imprisonment of up to one year, or both, on conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Munirah Zainal Abidin did not offer bail on the grounds that the accused committed a serious crime and there was a possibility she might disturb witnesses in the case.

She, however, suggested a bail of RM30,000 if the court uses its discretion to grant bail.

Lawyer Mohd Haaziq Pillay Abdullah, who represented Zarith pro bono, asked for bail to be set at a lower amount, as she earned only about RM3,500 a month as a singer.

"My client also has to support her parents," he said.

Datuk Mohd Haaziq also argued that there was no evidence that Zarith would disturb the witnesses in the case.

Sessions Court judge Manira Mohd Nor allowed bail at RM10,000 in one surety.

The judge also ordered Zarith to report at a police station monthly and to surrender her passport to the court.

Zarith paid the bail.

A video of the sun bear peeking its head out of an open window and making noise went viral recently.

According to news reports quoting Zarith, she claimed she found the sun bear, that she named Bruno, in a weakened state near Bukit Ampang about two weeks ago and decided to nurse it to health.