The women, family and community development ministry said 18 children who had been under the care of the husband and wife were rescued.

“They were brought to the Kajang Hospital for a medical check-up,” it said in a statement.

The ministry said it would continue to monitor the case, through the welfare department, and take appropriate steps to ensure the welfare and wellbeing of the children were taken care of.

Police arrested the couple at 3.20pm yesterday.

Kajang police said the husband, aged 66, and his wife, 68, were arrested after a report was lodged on April 1 by an 18-year-old youth who claimed that he was scolded and slapped on his left cheek for not listening to the shelter’s owners and caretakers.

Two other police reports were lodged by other witnesses, alleging that the couple had abused the children emotionally and mentally.

The case is being investigated under the Child Act 2001 for child abuse.