{
  "id": 16556500,
  "title": "Akmal secures funds to pay Teresa Kok RM300,000 in defamation case",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/akmal-secures-funds-to-pay-teresa-kok-rm300-000-in-defamation-case",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-26T03:53:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/10/1563721/akmal-secures-funds-pay-teresa-kok-rm300000-defamation-case"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a recent defamation case, Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Akmal Saleh successfully raised funds to cover the RM300,000 ruling awarded to DAP veteran Teresa Kok. The High Court recently decided in Kok's favor, ordering Akmal to pay RM250,000 in general and aggravated damages, along with RM50,000 in legal costs. Dr Akmal explained that the funds were sourced from the sale of his motorcycle, tilapia fish, and personal savings, which were insufficient on their own. Public donations have contributed nearly RM185,000, surpassing the initial RM173,000 reported. Akmal urged the public to stop depositing more money, stating he would not use the funds for personal gain and would instead return it to those in need.",
  "summary": "BUKIT MERTAJAM: Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Akmal Saleh has secured sufficient funds to pay the RM300,000 awarded to DAP veteran Teresa Kok in a defamation suit.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}