Malaysian singer and composer Yasin Sulaiman has spoken candidly about his challenging experience during more than four years of incarceration, describing it as one of the most difficult periods of his life. Known for his work on the song "Mimpi Laila," Yasin detailed the emotional and physical toll prison took on him during an interview following a musical theatre screening in Kuala Lumpur on September 9.
Yasin, 51, recounted that the initial shock and pressure of his detention caused severe health issues, including a significant rise in blood pressure. He characterized prison as a harsh environment marked by filth, violence, and degradation, warning others against ending up behind bars. “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.
After his release, Yasin expressed gratitude for the opportunity to reunite with his family and resume his career. His release came under a royal pardon granted by Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah of Selangor during Malaysia’s National Day celebrations. Yasin’s return to the public sphere included attending the screening of the musical theatre production "Mansur Dan Liu," directed by Datuk M. Nasir, where he reconnected with colleagues in the performing arts community.
During his detention, Yasin used the time to write extensively, composing numerous new songs and completing a 400-page autobiography. The book not only recounts his personal and professional journey but also addresses his struggles with mental health, specifically bipolar disorder. He hopes the memoir will offer moral support and raise public awareness about mental health challenges, encouraging those affected to seek treatment and remain hopeful for recovery.
Yasin’s case had a significant legal development in April last year when the Court of Appeal acquitted and discharged him, reversing an earlier High Court decision. The Shah Alam High Court had previously sentenced him to life imprisonment and 16 strokes of the cane after convicting him on three drug-related charges. The appellate panel, led by Judge Che Mohd Ruzima Ghazali, found in favour of Yasin’s final appeal and ordered his admission to Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta, a psychiatric facility in Perak, pending consent from the Sultan of Selangor.
Currently, Yasin is complying with medical conditions set by the hospital, which include ongoing medication management and abstaining from cannabis use. As he reintegrates into society, he remains focused on safeguarding his health while pursuing his artistic ambitions.