Freedom for Yasin Sulaiman

On March 24th, my cousin, Yasin was arrested on suspicion of trafficking and cultivating cannabis (marijuana) in Malaysia. He was found with 214g (7.4oz) of cannabis and some plants at his home. As a result of his arrest, he currently faces charges under Malaysia's Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 (Section 39B and 6B), which carries a possible death penalty. At a minimum, he will be sentenced to life in prison, and up to 15 strokes of the rotan (judicial caning). He is not eligible for bail under this offense.

 

Yasin, 47, is a popular singer in Malaysia and a father of two children, ages 18 and 14. In 2009, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and has suffered multiple manic episodes and symptoms of psychosis. While use for medical cannabis is technically legal in Malaysia, the process by which it can be obtained is extremely tightly controlled, and anything above 200gm (or 7oz) is automatically considered “trafficking”. Unfortunately, with 214g (7.4oz), Yasin has been charged with trafficking. He has no prior records.

 

I am working with his family and his legal team on three fronts:

1. To decriminalize the use of cannabis in Malaysia

2. To create local awareness on bipolar disorder and the anecdotal evidence that marijuana can help with mania and depression symptoms

3. To amend the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 to abolish capital punishment for the use of cannabis

 

I am starting this appeal to raise USD$50,000 for Yasin’s legal fees and expenses related to driving the cause of change. The legal proceedings will be lengthy and cost-prohibitive for our family to cover. Any funds over and above will be donated towards similar legal cases in Malaysia. I so greatly appreciate any help provided. All funds raised will be deposited directly to an account for his legal funds set up by his brother, Zain Sulaiman.