KUALA LUMPUR, April 21 -- The Penang High Court in George Town has revised a 12-month custodial sentence imposed on a couple convicted of committing an indecent act at a Chinese cemetery, cutting the term to time already served and ordering their immediate release, in a ruling that underscores the role of negotiated representations in sentencing outcomes.

In allowing the criminal revision, judge Rofiah Mohamad maintained the conviction against M. Jegathesan, 58, and Halila Abu Bakar, 37, but replaced the original sentence with imprisonment from the date of arrest on March 23 until the disposal of the revision today.

"Based on the developments as informed to the court earlier, the conviction against both accused is maintained.

"However,...