GEORGE TOWN: The Penang High Court today dismissed a defamation suit filed by local business tycoon, Tan Sri Tan Kok Ping, against the Chief Minister of Penang, Chow Kon Yeow, concerning the Silver Jubilee Home (SJH) elderly care centre issue.
Judicial Commissioner, Datuk Quay Chew Soon, stated that the remarks made by Kon Yeow, which Kok Ping alleged were defamatory, were not defamatory but rather factual statements made without malicious intent.
"Kon Yeow's statement about the need for a tender, as SJH is not owned by the state government but is a public organisation and not Kok Ping's personal property, is a factual statement," Berita Harian newspaper quoted Quay as saying.
"My findings are that the contested statement did not carry defamatory or insinuating meaning as claimed. I find that the defences of truth, fair comment, and qualified privilege have been proven successfully," he added in a judgment delivered via Zoom.
Quay also ordered Tan to pay RM50,000 in costs to the chief minister.
Previously, Tan, who is also the Honorary Life President of the Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce (PCCC), had filed the lawsuit claiming that Chow's statements regarding his resignation as a trustee of the charity home were defamatory.
Tan was reported to have resigned along with two others over the matter.