S Valan, 31, who had custody of the four victims – two boys aged 11 and 17, and two girls aged eight and 16 – was charged at the Selayang sessions court with four counts of cruelty for allegedly causing physical harm.

The offences were said to have been committed at a childcare centre in Batu Caves between 2023 and 2025.

The charges, under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, carry a maximum fine of RM50,000, imprisonment of up to 20 years, or both, upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Kamarul Iman Ahmad Sapian proposed bail of RM20,000 for each charge, citing the seriousness of the case and the publicity it had received on social media.

However, defence lawyer Nur Amalia Daud requested a lower bail of between RM3,000 and RM5,000 per charge.

She also told the court that the accused had earlier been charged at the Ampang sessions court with four charges of sexual assault against children and carnal intercourse against the order of nature.

Valan had been granted bail of RM30,000 with one surety for the four charges, with his wife acting as guarantor. For the present case, his unemployed mother will stand as guarantor.

Judge Norazlin Othman set bail at RM40,000 with one surety and ordered him to report monthly to the nearest police station and not to contact the victims or prosecution witnesses.

The court fixed June 19 for mention and submission of documents.

At the Selayang magistrates’ court, Valan pleaded not guilty to operating an unregistered daycare centre at Taman Permata Biru in Batu Caves, at 8pm, on April 3.

The charge, under Section 5(1) of the Care Centres Act 1993, carries a maximum fine of RM10,000 or up to two years’ jail or both, and a continuing fine of RM1,000 per day if the offence persists.

Magistrate Chai Guan Hock allowed bail of RM2,500 with one surety and set June 19 for mention.

The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Birr Zamier Abu Bakar.