World · Malaysia Bureau
Court dismisses tycoon's defamation appeal against Penang chief minister
A panel of judges has unanimously upheld a High Court decision rejecting a defamation suit filed by businessman Tan Kok Ping against Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. Tan has been ordered to pay RM50,000 in costs.
LSN Malaysia ·
The appellate court's unanimous decision brings an end to the defamation case, with the judges agreeing with the lower court's earlier ruling that dismissed Tan's claims against Chow. The businessman now faces the financial burden of covering RM50,000 in legal costs as a result of the unsuccessful appeal.
The case centred on allegations of defamation made by Tan against the Penang chief minister. However, the High Court found insufficient grounds to proceed with the suit, a decision the appellate panel determined was sound and properly reasoned.
The ruling underscores the court's position that the defamation claim did not meet the legal threshold required to proceed. With the appeal rejected at the highest level of consideration, the matter is now conclusively resolved, leaving Tan with the obligation to settle the substantial costs awarded to Chow.
The decision marks the end of litigation between the businessman and the Penang state leader, with the courts having consistently found against the plaintiff at each stage of proceedings.