GEORGE TOWN: The Penang High Court today ordered businessman Tan Sri Tan Kok Ping to pay RM400,000 in damages and costs to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow in a defamation suit. High Court Judge Datuk Quay Chew Soon made the order during an online proceeding after finding that Chow had successfully proven his case against Tan, who is Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce’s life honorary president.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Justice Quay stated that Chow’s suit had satisfied all elements of defamation, noting that the statement made by Tan in Mandarin directly referred to Chow and involved three offensive words: ‘incompetent, ignorant and shameless’ (tak cekap, tak arif dan tak tau malu). Tan had specifically identified Chow as the Chief Minister, thereby emphasizing his position.

The judge highlighted the significance of the Chief Minister’s role, stressing that it is crucial for such a public figure to maintain an impeccable character and high-level integrity. Justice Quay remarked that an accusation from
an influential figure like Tan could severely damage Chow’s reputation among the public. He concluded that the statement was indeed defamatory towards Chow.

Chow initiated the defamation suit in January this year following Tan’s remark concerning a state land sale. Chow was represented by lawyers Simon Murali and Kok Yuen Lin, while Tan was represented by lawyers Datuk K. Kirubakaran, Kek Boon Wei, and Lee Wen Qian.