GEORGE TOWN: Former Penang deputy chief minister Dr P. Ramasamy's crowdfunding campaign to pay controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik has met its target today.
Announcing this on his Facebook page, Ramasamy said they had reached the amount needed.
"RM1,523,187.38 was raised as of 11am.
"Thank you for the overwhelming support," he said.
On Nov 2, the High Court in Kuala Lumpur ordered Ramasamy to pay RM1.52 million to Zakir for defaming the latter.
According to Ramasamy, the crowdfunding lasted for seven days, from 2.30pm on Nov 2 until 11am today.
He said it was a fantastic effort on the part of donors from all sections of the society.
"Unmistakably this gift is the best Deepavali present.
"Please cease further donations from now on," he added.
Zakir, in October 2019, had filed a lawsuit against Ramasamy over four of the senior politician's statements that were alleged to be defamatory.
The statements were issued between 2016 and 2019.
Zakir then filed a second suit against Ramasamy, in December 2019, where he alleged the defendant's remarks about the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had defamed him.