Couple sentenced to 1 year in prison for having sex at Malaysian cemetery

M. Jegathesan, 58, and Halila Abu Bakar, 37, pleaded guilty to committing the offence when the charges were read to them at the Magistrates’ Court in George Town at about 8.30am on Thursday.

Magistrate Nadratun Naim Mohd Saidi sentenced both of them to 12 months’ imprisonment under Section 377D of the Penal Code for gross indecency in a public place.

In mitigation, lawyer R. Purantharan, who represented both accused, sought a lighter sentence.

He said Halila was unemployed, single and supported by her family, while Jegathesan worked as a security guard earning 1,800 ringgit (US$451) a month and was the sole breadwinner for his wife, who had suffered a stroke, and their two children.

“Both accused pleaded guilty today, which has saved the court time and costs that would otherwise have been incurred if the matter had proceeded to trial,” he said.