Singer Yasin Sulaiman Sentenced To Life For Cannabis Possession, Consumption & Cultivation
Yasin Sulaiman was acquitted of all charges by a lower court in November last year.
Singer and composer Yasin Sulaiman has been sentenced to life imprisonment and 16 strokes of the cane for three drug charges
In a proceeding today, 22 August, the Shah Alam High Court overturned Yasin's acquittal and discharge by the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court in November last year, reported Berita Harian.
Judge Norsharidah Awang handed down the sentence after granting the prosecution's request to appeal the lower court's decision.
Yasin was convicted on three charges: administering drugs to himself at the narcotics office of the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters, possessing 193.7g of cannabis, and cultivating 17 cannabis plants at his home.
The charges were filed under Sections 6, 6B, and 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act. A conviction under Section 6B alone is punishable by up to life imprisonment, while the other two provisions carry lighter punishments.
"Today is a dark day for me," said Yasin as the police escorted him after the conviction
The 2001 hit song Mimpi Laila singer was previously placed under the care of Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta in Perak, with permission from the Sultan of Selangor.
He was taken to Kajang Prison after the proceeding today.
Yasin Sulaiman appearing at the Shah Alam High Court today, 22 August.
Image via Faiz Anuar/Berita Harian
In November last year, Yasin was acquitted and discharged after the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court considered his mental state at the time of the incident on 24 March 2022
In his judgement, Judge Faiz Dziyauddin stated that despite being conscious of his actions, Yasin was in a mentally unsound state, experiencing symptoms of mania that led to severe cognitive decline.
Yasin's drug case caught national attention in late March 2022 when the police raided his house and arrested him.
When he was escorted into the Petaling Jaya court complex to face charges, the singer sent a cryptic message to Muar member of parliament Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, saying, "Send my regards to Syed Saddiq."
While it is unclear why Yasin made the comment, Parliament at the time was debating the decriminalisation of cannabis for medical use and the associated death penalty. Syed Saddiq was one of the most active lawmakers lobbying for the change.
Cannabis plants were discovered in Yasin's home in March 2022.
Image via Hazreen Mohamad/Harian Metro
Currently, there is no formal law legalising the medical use of cannabis in Malaysia. However, former Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin stated in 2021 that it is permissible if the product receives approval from local regulators.
As for the death penalty in drug-related cases, the Abolition of Mandatory Death Penalty Act 2023, effective since July last year, has removed the mandatory death penalty for 12 offences, including drug trafficking.
This act grants judges the discretion to impose sentences, including the death penalty in severe cases, leading to fewer death sentences being handed down.
Learn more about the case here:
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