M’sian man, 58 & woman, 37, jailed after pleading guilty to indecent act at cemetery

A 58-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman in Penang, Malaysia were each sentenced to 12 months’ jail after pleading guilty to committing an indecent act at a Chinese cemetery earlier in March.

The case follows an earlier incident in which the pair was arrested after a video of the act circulated online.

Both pleaded guilty in court

According to Hmetro, the couple admitted to committing the act at about 8:30am on Mar. 22, 2026 at a Chinese cemetery in Batu Gantung, Ayer Itam in Penang.

After hearing the case, the magistrate sentenced both individuals to 12 months’ imprisonment each, citing the seriousness of the offence and public interest considerations.

Court heard mitigation pleas from defence

Lawyer R Purantharan, who represented both accused persons, asked the court to impose a lighter sentence.

He said the woman was unemployed and supported by her family.

The man, meanwhile, works as a security guard earning about RM1,800 (S$579) per month, and is married with two children. His wife is reportedly recovering from a stroke, and he is the family’s sole breadwinner.

Both accused also pleaded guilty, which the defence said "saved court time and resources."

However, prosecutors urged the court to impose a sentence that would serve as a deterrent to both the pair and others.

They also noted the incident took place in a public area.

Arrests followed circulation of viral video

The Malaysian police previously launched investigations after receiving a report from a 69-year-old man about a video showing a couple behaving indecently at the cemetery.

The woman was arrested later that evening at about 8:35pm, while the man was arrested separately at around 11:11pm the same night.

Both had earlier admitted involvement in the incident during investigations.

Top image via Sinchew