Singapore - A couple has been charged in Singapore with distributing an evangelistic publication portraying the prophet Muhammad in a negative light, news reports said Wednesday.

Ong Kian Cheong, 49, and Dorothy Chan Hien Leng, 44, are alleged to have distributed the publication on March 6, 2007, and again on October 19, The Straits Times said.

Ong works in a telecommunications company, and his wife is a bank employee.

The court on Tuesday scheduled the case for April 29. Details regarding the contents of the publication were not revealed.

The maximum penalty is a fine of up to 5,000 Singapore dollars (3,649 US dollars) and or a jail term of up to 12 months.

Singapore's predominantly Chinese population includes 14 per cent who are Muslim Malays. (dpa)