GEORGE TOWN, December 12 – The Penang High Court has ruled in favor of Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow in a defamation suit against businessman Tan Sri Tan Kok Ping, awarding RM350,000 in damages and RM50,000 in legal costs.
The case revolved around defamatory remarks made by Tan during a press conference last year concerning the sale of industrial land in Batu Kawan. Justice Quay Chew Soon found Tan’s claims of justification, fair comment, and qualified privilege unsubstantiated and noted that his statements, including accusations of “incompetent,” “ignorant,” and “shameless,” were actuated by malice and unrelated to public interest.
The court emphasized the damage to Chow’s reputation as a public official and highlighted the lack of apology or remorse from Tan in determining the damages. Chow’s legal team included Simon Murali and Kok Yuen Lin, while Tan was represented by Datuk K. Kirubakaran and Kek Boon Wei.
