UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh is preparing to part with his beloved motorcycle and farmed tilapia to raise the RM300,000 he was ordered to pay Seputeh MP Teresa Kok in a defamation suit.
Akmal said his personal savings were insufficient to cover the amount, but he would rather sell his own possessions than ask friends and supporters to help foot the bill.
The Melaka High Court on Oct 19 ordered him to pay Teresa RM250,000 in damages and RM50,000 in costs after finding him liable for defamation over remarks concerning a proposed halal certification initiative.
The ruling came more than a year after Akmal challenged Teresa to meet him in court in September 2024, as the dispute over the issue intensified.
In a statement two days after the decision, Akmal said he respected the court’s ruling and accepted responsibility for settling the amount.
He said some supporters had suggested opening a fund to help him raise the money, but he wanted to make the effort himself first.
“However, allow me to try on my own first,” he said, explaining that he did not want to burden friends and supporters who had their own financial commitments.
With his savings falling short, Akmal said he had decided to sell two possessions he held dear: his Honda X-ADV motorcycle and the tilapia he had been farming.
Both had been fully paid for and could be sold to raise the money. He added that he had no land or house to sell.
“It is hard to part with something you love. But it would be harder for me if I had to trouble others,” he said.
Akmal has invited serious buyers to submit bids, with a RM100 deposit required. He said the deposit would be refunded in full to unsuccessful bidders.
The court ruling has left Akmal facing a substantial financial obligation, but he has said he intends to meet it without seeking contributions from supporters.
For now, that means putting up for sale possessions he would prefer to keep as he works to settle the RM300,000 ordered by the court.
Meanwhile, Akmal has withdrawn the account number he previously shared for the purpose of bidding for two of his personal assets.
This follows the public’s decision to send contributions totalling RM45,102.18, rather than placing bids as he had intended.
“I apologise for having to withdraw the account number I included in my previous post.
“This is because almost everyone who deposited money into my account did not do so to purchase my motorcycle or tilapia fish, but rather to contribute to me.
“As of the time this statement is being made, I have received nearly RM45,102.18,” he stated.
According to Akmal, while he is deeply grateful to those who donated, he emphasised that his original intention was simply to sell his assets—specifically a motorcycle and the tilapia fish he farms.
He explained that he does not wish to burden anyone else with assisting, as he intends to take full personal responsibility following the court’s decision regarding his case. - October 21, 2026