Yasin escapes possible death sentence, given DNAA on drug trafficking charge

PETALING JAYA - Nasyid singer and composer Muhammad Yasin Sulaiman breathed a sigh of relief after the magistrate's court, here, today granted him a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) on a cannabis trafficking charge.

He said the court's decision was a positive development for him, "Alhamdulillah, I have gone through the process and legal provisions accordingly and I am grateful with this decision.

"I would like to thank my friends and family who have supported me, they are my strength," he said when met by reporters at the court vicinity, here, today.

Meanwhile, Yasin's brother Zain Sulaiman, 50, said his family was grateful for the court's decision today even though they would not get to spend the upcoming Hari Raya Aidiladha together.

"We are grateful with the development of this case, even though we would not be able to spend Hari Raya Aidiladha together with him.

"Alhamdulillah, we are relieved to see this development Yasin is going through.

"I hope his friend and acquaintances would continue to pray for him," he said.

Yassin has escaped a possible death sentence, after the magistrate's court gave him a DNAA on a charge of trafficking cannabis weighing about 214 grammes.

The offence under Section 39B (1) (a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 was allegedly committed in March.

However, Yasin was instead charged under Section 39A (2) of the act, for possessing 193.7 grammes of the same drugs, which carries a life sentence and whipping of not less than 10 time.

His charge for cultivating 17 cannabis plants under Section 6B (1) (a) of the act at the Sessions Court maintains.