“I Will Never Back Down” — Akmal Says After Losing RM250,000 Defamation Lawsuit To Teresa Kok
The UMNO leader took to Facebook with a defiant message following the court ruling, saying he would never back down.
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UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh said he would never back down after losing a RM250,000 defamation lawsuit filed by Seputeh MP Teresa Kok
According to FMT, Kok's lawyer, SN Nair, said the Melaka High Court awarded her RM250,000 in damages over remarks that harmed her reputation.
The lawsuit stemmed from Akmal's remarks made in September 2024, after Kok questioned a proposal to require restaurants and food businesses that do not serve pork or alcohol to obtain halal certification.
Kok had cautioned that the proposal could place an additional burden on businesses, especially smaller operators.
In response, Akmal called her an "old nyonya" and suggested putting a "non-halal" label on her forehead.
Nair said the court ordered Akmal to remove the defamatory remarks from all his social media platforms.
Akmal was ordered to pay Kok RM250,000 in damages, as well as RM50,000 in legal costs
Following the verdict, Akmal took to Facebook to declare that he would continue to stand by his position.
"This is your time in power. Do whatever you want to do.
"I will never back down. Happy campaigning," he wrote.
The Facebook post garnered over 15,500 likes, with some commenters expressing support for him while others criticised him.
Akmal's Facebook post can be found below:
