After spending more than four years far removed from the glamour of the entertainment industry, singer and composer Yasin Sulaiman described his time behind bars as one of the most difficult chapters he has ever endured.
The singer of Mimpi Laila said the pressure he faced at one point left him feeling that everything had come to an end, particularly after receiving a decision that drastically altered the course of his future.
"I could feel the blood rushing to my head and my blood pressure became extremely high. When I arrived at the lock-up, all I could do was lie down because I was unable to cope with the emotional pressure.
"For me, prison is a terrible place ... extremely dirty, violent and degrading. So my advice is, do not go to prison because it is the most unpleasant place,” he said when met at a screening of the musical theatre Mansur Dan Liu, directed by Datuk M. Nasir, at Istana Budaya in Kuala Lumpur on Sept 9.
Now breathing the air of freedom once again, the 51-year-old singer is grateful that the chapter has come to an end and regards the second chance he has been given as an opportunity to reunite with his family and continue his career in the arts.
Rather than trying to forget the experience, Yasin has documented it in a 400-page autobiography, which also chronicles his life journey, including his experiences dealing with mental health issues and bipolar disorder.
"This past week has gone by too quickly as there have been many things to settle with my family and at my studio. I was released following a Release Order signed by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, in conjunction with the National Day celebrations.
"During my detention, I wrote many new songs and have also completed a 400-page autobiography, which is now in the final stage of selecting photographs before it is published as soon as possible,” he said.
Yasin said the autobiography is not merely an account of his life journey, but he also hopes it will provide moral support and raise awareness among the public, particularly those dealing with mental health problems.
"I want to share this story because many people living with mental health disorders feel hopeless when they are first diagnosed. I want to convey the message that there is still hope for recovery and rebuilding one's life if the right treatment is received,” he said.
As he adjusts to his new life following his release, Yasin is also paying close attention to his health by complying with two key conditions set by Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta in Perak -- taking his medication continuously for life and no longer being involved with cannabis.
At the same time, his excitement to return to the entertainment industry was evident, with the screening of the musical theatre production providing one of his opportunities to reconnect with fellow artistes after such a long absence.
The Court of Appeal in April last year acquitted and discharged Yasin and ordered that he be placed at Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta until he obtained the consent of the Sultan of Selangor.
The decision overturned the Shah Alam High Court's ruling, which had sentenced Yasin to life imprisonment and 16 strokes of the cane after he was found guilty of three drug-related charges.
The unanimous decision was made by a three-member panel led by Judge Che Mohd Ruzima Ghazali, together with Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah and Datuk Azmi Ariffin, after allowing Yasin's final appeal. - Bernama
