THE ARREST
On March 25th, 2022 it was reported in various news outlets that a 47-year-old nasheed singer had been detained at his condominium in Damansara at 5.30 pm the day before (March 24th, 2022) on suspicion of a drug offence. A thread on twitter further revealed that the singer had won Anugerah Juara Lagu. While his identity was not revealed, many speculated that it was Yasin Sulaiman. The police announced that they would hold a press conference later that day.
https://twitter.com/f4izalhassan/status/1507185885980233728
REMAND
In the evening of March 25th, 2022 the police announced that the singer, still unnamed, had been remanded that morning for 7 days starting that day. At the press conference the police presented the evidence seized namely pots of cannabis plants, packed cannabis and some equipment. Also seized were his Toyota Wish car valued at RM40,000 and RM700 in cash.
While some news reports did not report the amount of cash and only alhijrahnews.com and siakapkeli.my reported the correct amount of cash (RM700), many news reports combined the value of his car and cash and reported that “...the police also seized a Toyota Wish belonging to the suspect and cash amounting to RM40,700.” The sentence was confusing and gave the impression that RM40,700 in cash was found when only RM700 was found. This has been corrected by Yasin’s lawyer Yusmadi Yusoff while speaking to the press after the charges were filed in court.
The case was classified under Section 39B and Section 6B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for drug trafficking and having cannabis plants respectively.
While the amount of cannabis found was 214g, the police believed he was not involved in trafficking or processing cannabis. According to the law, however, anything over 200g is presumed to be for distribution. The police also clarified that he had no previous criminal record.
THE CHARGES
On March 31st 2022, Yasin Sulaiman was brought to the Petaling Jaya Court Complex to be charged for trafficking cannabis and cultivating cannabis plants. He pleaded not guilty to the charge of cultivating cannabis plants under Section 6B at the Sessions Court. No plea was entered for the trafficking charge under Section 39B at the Magistrate Court as it is under the jurisdiction of the High Court. The charge framed under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 carries a death penalty or life imprisonment and a minimum of 15 lashes upon conviction.
Even though the defense argued for his release on bail due to his bipolar disorder and need for treatment, he was denied bail and the mention for the case was set for May 18th, 2022.
While being brought into the court, he said to the reporters present, “Send my regards to Syed Saddiq. Ask him to expedite the approval for medical cannabis in Parliament.”
Videos:
Police Statement on Drug Trafficking
“Actually in the case regarding the seizure of cannabis plants and also cannabis, he did not traffic. Based on our initial investigation, it's only for personal use.” -Petaling Jaya district police chief ACP Mohamad Fakhrudin Abdul Hamid
Lawyer Yusmadi Yusoff Correcting Media Reports
"For that reason I put it on record it is quite inappropriate for us to report that there was a mini farm. I feel that is not correct. Not correct. Please correct that. The media needs to correct that. There was no mini farm. Then it was said supposedly an amount of cash and others. No. I checked with the SOP officer there was only RM700. The rest I cannot comment on as the case is ongoing. However I suggest that comments that to me are inappropriate for someone who has inspired us a lot should be avoided." -Lawyer Yusmadi Yusoff
The Star