KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has asked the public to stop transferring money into his personal bank account, saying he does not want to feel guilty over their generosity.
He said he had received RM45,102.18 from well-wishers seeking to help him pay RM300,000 in damages and costs after losing a defamation suit filed by DAP veteran Teresa Kok.
In a Facebook post today, Akmal apologised for removing the bank account number he had shared in an earlier post.
"I ask that no more money be deposited into the account so that I do not feel guilty towards everyone.
"This is because almost everyone transferring money into my account is doing so not to buy the motorcycle or tilapia fish, but to contribute to me.
"As of this statement, I have received RM45,102.18, and I am very grateful.
"However, my intention was to try to sell my assets first, namely my motorcycle and fish," he said.
Akmal said he did not want to burden anyone by asking for financial assistance and would take full responsibility for the payment.
"It is fine, I will bear it. I only need prayers from all of you.
"So, to anyone who wants to buy the Honda X-ADV motorcycle, I will provide the details after this and you can message me directly," he said.
On Monday, the Melaka High Court ruled in favour of Kok in her defamation suit against Akmal, ordering him to pay RM250,000 in general and aggravated damages, along with RM50,000 in costs.
The suit concerned remarks Akmal made about Kok in a TikTok video in September 2024, after she criticised a proposal to make halal certification mandatory for eateries that do not serve pork or alcohol.
The court also ordered Akmal to remove the video from his social media accounts within seven days and barred him from publishing or broadcasting the defamatory statements, or words to the same effect.
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