The couple who gained online notoriety for having intercourse at a Chinese cemetery in Penang recently have been sentenced to a year’s jail.
58-year-old M. Jegathesan and 37-year-old Halila Abu Bakar pleaded guilty to an act of gross indecency under Section 377D of the Penal Code, reported NST.
They committed the offense at the cemetery located in Batu Gantung, Ayer Itam at 8.30am on March 22.
Under Section 377D, which was read together with Section 34 of the same code, criminalises acts of “gross indecency” between persons, whether in public or private, and carries a penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment.
Lawyer pleads for mercy
R. Purantharan, who represented the duo, told the court that Halila is single and unemployed, and currently stays with her family.
As for Jegathesan, Purantharan said he earns RM1,800 monthly as a security guard and is the sole breadwinner for the family, which consists of his two kids and a wife suffering from stroke.
“Both have pleaded guilty, saving the court time and costs of a trial. I therefore appeal for minimal custodial sentences for both my clients,” he added.
However, Deputy Public Prosecutor Lau Shavin asked the court to impose a deterrent sentence to serve as a lesson to the accused and a warning to others.
“The male accused is married, and both accused have religious beliefs that forbid such acts. The incident occurred in a public area. We ask the court to consider this, as well as public interest,” she said.
Magistrate Nadratun Naim Mohd Saidi ordered the couple to sit a year in jail following their guilty plea.
Read about the case here:
