Malaysia’s system for tracking repeat domestic abusers is under scrutiny after police said a man accused of assaulting his pregnant wife until she miscarried had been married nine times and was free on bail while appealing a 10-year jail sentence for attacking another spouse who was previously expecting.

The 43-year-old suspect, named in local media as Rosmaini Abd Raof, was remanded for seven days in Kedah on Wednesday after police arrested him at a homestay in Alor Setar, the northern state’s capital.

He is accused of attacking his 39-year-old wife last week at a house in Ambangan Heights, Sungai Petani, leaving her with serious injuries and causing her to lose a 12-week pregnancy.

Kedah police chief Adzli Abu Shah said the case began with a report from the victim’s brother, who was informed by hospital staff that his sister had allegedly been attacked by her husband.

The victim later lodged her own police report on Sunday after complaining of severe pain.

Police said the case had been reclassified as voluntarily causing grievous hurt, an offence that carries a maximum punishment of 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine or caning.