FORMER Bagan Dalam assemblyman Satees Muniandy said with almost half a million ringgit collected, former Penang deputy chief minister P. Ramasamy’s team hopes to raise RM1.52 million through a crowdfunding campaign in 10 days.

He was optimistic of achieving the target following the positive response from the public.

As of 11am today, RM454,781.78 has been collected in the “Solidarity with Prof Ramasamy” campaign.

On Thursday, the Kuala Lumpur High Court ordered Ramasamy to pay RM1.52 million in damages to fugitive Zakir Naik for defaming the controversial Islamic preacher between 2017 and 2019.

The money must be paid within 30 days, with 5% interest, starting Thursday.

Although the defendant intends to appeal the decision and seeks to stay order, the money must be prepared to avoid the charging of interest.

Besides public donations, Satees said business owners have helped with the campaign.

“Among them is Seni Sattisorru Claypot Restaurant, who have publicly stated to donate their one-day’s sales to Ramasamy’s cause,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

“There are also others but they probably don’t want the publicity.”

Besides the fine, High Court Judge Hayatul Akmal Abdul Aziz also ordered Ramasamy to make a public apology but his counsel, Razlan Hadri Zulkifli, said they would file an application to stay the need to apologise pending their appeal. – November 4, 2023.