Overjoyed by Yasin’s release, frustrated by lack of drug law reforms

Martin Vengadesan expressed relief upon learning that singer and composer Yasin Sulaiman was released from Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta after serving four years in prison. Yasin, who has suffered greatly, was acquitted and discharged by the Court of Appeal in April 2025 following medical reports and psychiatric evaluations that confirmed he had bipolar disorder. Despite the medical findings, he was initially sentenced to life imprisonment in August 2024 for three drug offences.

While Vengadesan is overjoyed that Yasin can return home to his family, he remains frustrated by the lack of progress in drug law reforms. He questions why, despite discussions around reform, draconian punishments continue to be enforced. Yasin's case is particularly poignant as he was sentenced for possessing 17 cannabis plants, a time when cannabis is being cultivated into a lucrative industry in parts of the world.

The heavy drug penalties often result in punishing drug users and mules rather than the middlemen or cartel leaders. Vengadesan highlights that progress has been made, citing the acquittal and discharge of former ambassador Zainal Abidin Alias and his son in early 2024. Other cases, such as Engineer Lukman Mohamad, who was freed in March 2021, also demonstrate the need for change.

However, Vengadesan remains concerned that despite Yasin's release and the acquittals of others, the existing drug laws remain unchanged. He wonders if our country is simply stuck in limbo, unable to move forward on issues such as completely abolishing the death penalty and ending child marriage. The writer concludes that the current drug policy clearly fails, urging for necessary reforms to address the shortcomings in the system.