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.
"I know that each of you has your own family, responsibilities and difficulties. So, as long as I still have possessions that I can sell, please allow me to try that first."
Akmal said his savings were insufficient to cover the RM300,000, and he did not own any land or house he could sell to make up the shortfall.
The motorcycle and tilapia were his only assets that had been fully paid for and could be sold, he said.
"It is painful to part with something we love. But it would pain me even more to burden others when I still have possessions of my own that I can try to sell," he said.
Akmal invited serious bidders to pay a RM100 deposit into his bank account and submit the payment receipt, along with details of the asset they wished to bid for and their offer.
He said the deposit would be refunded in full if a bid was unsuccessful.
On Monday, the Melaka High Court ruled in Kok's favour over remarks Akmal made in a TikTok video concerning her views to make halal certification compulsory for restaurants and food businesses that did not serve pork or alcohol.
Kok warned that the proposal could burden businesses, particularly smaller operators. Akmal responded by calling her an "old nyonya" and suggesting that a "non-halal" label be placed on her forehead.
The court ordered Akmal to pay RM250,000 in damages and RM50,000 in legal costs.