GEORGE TOWN: Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh will appeal against the High Court’s decision in the defamation suit filed against him by Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, Sinar Harian reports.
The Umno Youth chief told the Malay language daily that the decision was made after discussions with his legal team to determine the next course of action in the case.
“I have just discussed the matter with my lawyers,” he said.
Previously, Kok won her defamation suit against Muhamad Akmal after the Melaka High Court ordered him to pay her RM250,000 in general and aggravated damages.
Her lawyer Datuk Sankara Nair said in a statement that Judge Isa Aziz Ibrahim had also issued an injunction barring the incumbent Merlimau assemblyman from making defamatory statements against his client in the future.
Sankara said the court also ordered the removal of the disputed statements from all social media platforms.
Muhamad Akmal was also ordered to pay RM50,000 in legal costs to Kok.
Meanwhile, Muhamad Akmal said he had raised enough money to pay the damages after selling his motorcycle and tilapia fish for a combined RM180,000.
He said proceeds from the sale of the two assets, together with his and his family’s savings, were sufficient to settle the payment.
“My previous savings were insufficient. That is why I decided to sell the assets I have.
“The only two assets I could sell were my motorcycle and tilapia fish. Thank God, through determination and public assistance, my motorcycle and tilapia fish were sold for RM180,000,” he told Sinar Harian.
He also urged the public to stop contributing money to his account as the funds were no longer needed to pay the damages.
He said public donations, previously reported to total RM173,000, had risen to almost RM185,000 following a check on Monday (Oct 26) morning.
“I ask the public not to deposit any more money into my account.
“I will not use the money for myself. I will use it to give back to those in need,” he said.
He stressed that the donations would be channelled to people in need, as the money to settle the damages had been raised through the sale of his assets and family savings.
