'Very caring, soft-spoken': Yasin opens up on prison interactions with Najib

Malaysian singer and composer Muhammad Yasin Sulaiman has spoken fondly of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, describing him as a gentleman during their time at Kajang Prison. Yasin, who met Najib while performing at prison events, said he had never met the former prime minister before being jailed. The two often shared a table with the prison director and engaged in conversation over their meals.

Yasin found that Najib was kind and soft-spoken, adding that he was impressed by the former prime minister's demeanor. He recalled that Najib expressed a strong interest in his case, inquiring about it several times. When Yasin received a 30-year sentence and 16 strokes of the cane from the High Court, he had not anticipated such a severe punishment, having previously been discharged from a lower court.

The Petaling Jaya Sessions Court had acquitted and discharged Yasin of three drug charges in November 2023, but the High Court later overturned the acquittal, leading to his sentencing.

Despite the lengthy imprisonment and subsequent release, Yasin expressed gratitude for the opportunity to know Najib better. He was eventually allowed to return home after spending over four years in prison and Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta, Selangor, following the Court of Appeal's decision in April 2025 to acquit and discharge him from the drug offenses, while maintaining the order for placement at Hospital Bahagia.