Akmal puts motorcycle, fish up for auction to pay Teresa
Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh is auctioning his motorcycle and farmed tilapia to raise RM300,000 to pay damages and legal costs to Seputeh MP Teresa Kok. A court ordered the payment after finding Akmal liable for defamation over a social media video regarding halal certification views.
Why it matters
This case highlights the legal consequences of political rhetoric and social media defamation in Malaysia, while also reflecting a politician's public effort to handle financial penalties personally rather than through crowd-funding.
The Melaka High Court ordered Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh to pay Seputeh MP Teresa Kok RM250,000 in damages and RM50,000 in legal costs over a defamatory social media video posted in September 2024. (Facebook pic)
PETALING JAYA: Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh is putting his Honda motorcycle and farmed tilapia up for auction to raise RM300,000 in damages and legal costs awarded to Seputeh MP Teresa Kok in a defamation suit he lost.
In a Facebook post, Akmal thanked those who suggested setting up a donation fund but said he wanted to try raising the money himself first.
"I respect the court’s decision and am prepared to comply with its order. I will take full responsibility for paying the amount," he said.
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