PETALING JAYA – Nasyid singer and songwriter Muhammad Yasin Sulaiman described it as a turning point when he was ordered to enter his defence for his drug case at the sessions court here.
The 48-year-old Mimpi Laila singer said he had chosen to remain silent and had his defence team call a psychiatrist from Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta to testify in his defence, which began after the prima facie verdict today.
He also said his health is getting better, despite being put under heavy medication.
“I expected the prima facie verdict so I chose to remain silent. And, I should have to resume my treatment at the Hospital Bahagia.
“But the court process is taking longer than we thought. Nevertheless, I’ll go through with it and hope for the best outcome so I can return to the hospital and continue with my treatment.
“I also would like to say thank you to all my fans who have been supporting me. They have ignited my inner strength through these ordeals. I love you all, and thank you so much,” he told reporters when met after the trial proceedings today.
Meanwhile, Yasin’s brother, Zain Sulaiman said today’s courtroom deliberations are an important day for his brother.
“Alhamdulillah… we have the opportunity to call a witness to give his (Yasin’s) side of the story. And everything went well. We continue praying for the next proceeding to go on smoothly as well and for a positive outcome so Yasin could return to get his treatment.”
Earlier, judge Faiz Dziyauddin ordered Yasin to enter his defence on all three drug charges – possessing 193.7g of cannabis, cultivating 17 cannabis plants in plastic pots at his house in Kota Damansara, as well as ingesting cannabis at the narcotics office of the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters.
The charges were framed under Section 39A(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries imprisonment between five years to a lifetime, and maximum 20 strokes of rotan, as well as Section 6B(1)(a) of the same act, that provides life imprisonment and at least six strokes of rotan, respectively, upon conviction.
His charge of ingesting cannabis was framed under Section 15(1)(a) and punishable under Section 15(1) of the same act that carries a maximum RM5,000 fine not exceeding RM5,000 or maximum two years jail term if convicted.
The court fixed October 17 to continue the trial. – October 3, 2023