MELAKA: Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh will donate RM173,733.61 in public contributions to the needy after making progress towards raising RM300,000 to settle damages and legal costs in a defamation case.
He said the contributions would be channelled to those in need, with details of the distribution to be announced on his social media accounts.
He has asked for the donors' permission to redirect the money for charitable purposes.
Akmal said he had sold his X-ADV motorcycle for RM150,000, while sales of tilapia from his fish pond had generated nearly RM30,000.
This brought proceeds from the sale of his assets to almost RM180,000. Together with existing savings belonging to him and his family, he expects to raise the full RM300,000 by next week.
"I sincerely appreciate the public's concern and generosity, even though I had asked them to stop making contributions," he said in a statement.
He was previously ordered to pay Seputeh MP Teresa Kok RM300,000 in damages and costs in a defamation suit filed in 2024.
He said some people had accused him of staging a drama to solicit donations, but stressed that his intention had been to sell his assets to cover the amount payable because his existing savings were insufficient.
"I had no intention of asking for donations as long as I could bear the cost myself," he said.
He added that he accepted the insults and accusations with an open heart and prayed that those who made them would be protected from the harm of their own words and suspicions.
He also urged the public to stop transferring money into his account to ensure the contributions could be distributed smoothly to those in need.
"Allow me to act as an intermediary to pass on every sen you contributed to those who need it," he said, thanking donors for their generosity.
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