KUALA LUMPUR: The joy and relief were clear on nasyid singer-composer Muhammad Yasin Sulaiman's face when he was given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) for trafficking cannabis at a Magistrate’s Court here.
Muhammad Yasin, 47, expressed his gratitude outside court later, saying it was a positive outcome for him.
“I am following the process of the law and I am grateful for this decision.
"I must not forget to thank my friends and family for their support, they are my main source of strength," he told the media outside the court here on Wednesday (July 6).
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Muhammad Yasin's brother Zain Sulaiman, 50, said the family was grateful for the court decision, even though the family could not celebrate Hari Raya with the musician.
"We are all grateful and relieved for the development.
“I hope our friends will continue to pray for Yasin,” he said.
In court, he was given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal for distributing cannabis plants which if found guilty is punishable by a death penalty or life imprisonment.
He was charged on March 31 with trafficking 214g of cannabis at a condominium in Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya, on March 24.
The charge, framed under Section 39B (1) (a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and punishable under Section 39B (2) of the same Act, carries the death penalty, or life imprisonment with no fewer than 15 strokes of the cane, upon conviction.
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However, he still faces a charge of possession of 193.7g of cannabis under Section 39A (2) of the Act.
If found guilty, he faces imprisonment of five years to life and no fewer than 20 strokes of the cane.
The father of two was also charged with cultivating 17 cannabis plants in plastic pots at the same location and date.
The charge, framed under Section 6B (1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, provides life imprisonment and whipping of at least six strokes of the cane, upon conviction.
