Nasyid singer Yasin faces the gallows on two drug charges

PETALING JAYA - Nasyid singer and composer Muhammad Yasin Sulaiman or popularly known as Yasin, was charged in two separate courts, here, today with cultivating 17 ganja plants and trafficking 214 grammes of ganja, last week.

The 47-year old pleaded not guilty to cultivating the drugs after the charge was read to him before Sessions Court judge Norshila Kamaruddin.

The Mimpi Laila singer allegedly committed the offence at a condominium unit in Kota Damansara at about 5.30pm on March 24.

The charge was framed under Section 6B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 which carries an imprisonment for life and whipping of not less than six strokes, if convicted.

Before magistrate Zhafran Rahim Hamzah, Yasin was charged with trafficking the drugs at the same place and time.

However, no plea was recorded as the case was under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

Under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Act, the accused faces a death sentence, or an imprisonment for life and if he is not sentenced to death, he shall be punished with whipping of not less than 15 strokes, if convicted.

Both courts did not allow Yasin bail and fixed his case for mention on May 18.

The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Mohammad Al-Saifi Hashim while Yasin was represented by counsel Yusmadi Yusoff.