UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has asked the public to stop sending him money and said he intends to distribute the donations received to those in need, as fundraising efforts towards his RM300,000 legal liability continue.
The Merlimau assemblyman said donations had reached RM173,733.61, while the sale of his Honda X-ADV motorcycle and farmed tilapia raised a further RM180,000.
He said a friend bought the motorcycle for RM150,000, while the sale of all the tilapia in his pond generated nearly RM30,000 after three days of bidding.
“Together with my family’s savings, God willing, this should bring the total to RM300,000 by next week.
“I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has helped and prayed for me,” he said in a Facebook post on Friday.
Akmal said he wanted contributors’ permission to channel the donations to people who needed assistance, adding that he would publish details of the distribution on social media.
He urged the public not to transfer any more money to his account to ensure the distribution process could proceed smoothly.
The fundraising drive followed a Melaka High Court order requiring Akmal to pay general and aggravated damages to DAP veteran Teresa Kok, as well as an injunction barring him from making defamatory statements against the Seputeh MP in future.
Akmal had offered his motorcycle and tilapia for bidding among supporters and friends to raise funds for the court-ordered payment and legal costs. - October 23, 2026