KUALA LUMPUR: UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh plans to donate nearly RM174,000 in public contributions to people in need after selling his personal assets to help settle a RM300,000 defamation judgment against him.
Akmal said he had raised RM180,000 through the sale of his prized Honda X-ADV motorcycle for RM150,000 and tilapia harvested from his fishpond, which generated nearly RM30,000.
He said the proceeds, combined with personal and family savings, were expected to cover the RM300,000 payment by next week.
However, public donations continued to flow into his account despite his earlier appeal for people to stop contributing. The amount collected had reached RM173,733.61.
Akmal has since sought donors’ permission to channel the entire sum to those facing financial difficulties, including individuals needing funds to repair their homes or pay for medical treatment.
He also denied allegations that the sale of his assets was merely a publicity stunt to solicit donations, stressing that he wanted to take personal responsibility for settling the judgment.
To ensure transparency, he pledged to provide details of how the donations are distributed through his Facebook page. He again urged the public to stop transferring money to his account.
On Monday, the High Court ordered Akmal to pay Seputeh MP Teresa Kok RM300,000 after ruling against him in a defamation suit. The amount comprises RM250,000 in damages and RM50,000 in costs.
-AWANI
