UMNO youth chief Akmal to pay S$90,000 after defamation lawsuit, selling motorbike & tilapia fish to raise funds

Malaysian UMNO Youth chief (Melaka) Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh is selling his motorcycle and farmed tilapia fish to raise RM300,000 (S$93,884) after losing a defamation lawsuit against Democratic Action Party (DAP) (Kuala Lumpur) MP Teresa Kok.

In a Facebook post on Oct. 21, Akmal said his savings were insufficient to cover the RM300,000 (S$93,884) payment and that he wanted to try raising the money himself.

Selling motorcycle and tilapia fish

Akmal announced that he was putting two of his possessions up for sale: a Honda X-ADV motorcycle and his tilapia fish.

The assemblyman said both assets had been fully paid for, and that he did not own any land or property he could sell to cover the amount.

In his Facebook post, Akmal acknowledged that RM300,000 (S$93,884) was a substantial sum for him.

"Honestly, RM300,000 is a very large amount for me. Even after taking into account all my savings, it is still not enough," he said.

He explained that parting with the two assets was not an easy decision, as both held sentimental value.

“Even writing about my decision to sell them was difficult.”

Akmal invited interested buyers to send him their offers, adding that a transaction would proceed if both parties agreed on a price.

Ordered to pay RM300,000 after losing defamation lawsuit

On Oct. 19, the Melaka High Court ruled in favour of Kok in a defamation lawsuit over remarks Akmal made in a video posted on social media in September 2024, according to New Straits Times.

The dispute arose after Kok criticised a proposal to make halal certification compulsory for food establishments that did not serve pork or alcohol.

Akmal criticised Kok in a video posted online, including referring to her as an "old Nyonya". He also wrote two articles attacking Kok, which were shared on an online portal.

High Court Judicial Commissioner Isa Aziz Ibrahim said Akmal’s remarks went beyond legitimate political debate and carried a serious defamatory implication against Kok, Free Malaysia Today reported.

“The said video did carry a severe defamatory sting that the plaintiff habitually and continually destabilises national harmony,” the commissioner said in his grounds of judgment.

According to Bernama, Isa Aziz ordered Akmal to pay RM250,000 (S$78,348) in general and aggravated damages, along with RM50,000 (S$15,669) in legal costs.

Wants to raise money himself first

Akmal also thanked supporters who had suggested setting up a donation fund to help him pay the damages and legal costs.

However, he said he respected the court's decision and intended to take responsibility for the payment.

“I would like to try raising the money myself first,” he wrote.

He said he did not want to burden his supporters, who had their own families and financial commitments, while he still had possessions he could sell.

He added that his supporters' prayers and words of encouragement meant a great deal to him.

In a subsequent Facebook update, Akmal said he had received RM45,102.18 (S$14,121) in contributions from supporters who had transferred money to his bank account.

Akmal said he had removed his bank account details after receiving the donations from supporters, whom he urged not to send any more money.

The sale of his motorcycle and tilapia would nevertheless continue.