Penang tycoon Tan Kok Ping loses libel appeal against CM Chow Kon Yeow, ordered to pay RM50,000

Penang tycoon Tan Kok Ping's attempt to sue Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow for libel has been dismissed by the Court of Appeal. A three-judge panel unanimously upheld the High Court's decision, ruling that Chow's statements were fair comment based on proven facts about a matter of public interest – the governance of a charitable institution.

The court found that Chow's defence of justification was valid, as the statements were generally true and no material facts were concealed. The court also noted that Tan failed to prove malice and that Chow's defence of qualified privilege applied, as he was entitled to respond publicly to Tan's resignation letter. The Court of Appeal ordered Tan to pay RM50,000 in costs.

The lawsuit originated in January 2024, stemming from Chow's remarks during press conferences in December 2023, when Tan was a trustee of the Silver Jubilee Home for the Aged alongside Chow. Both men served as trustees of the Penang and Province Wellesley Silver Jubilee Fund, a corporation responsible for maintaining the home.