GEORGE TOWN – Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow seems to have taken a leaf out of his predecessor’s book when he revealed plans to file a libel suit against tycoon Tan Sri Tan Kok Pin for allegedly smearing his reputation by calling him incompetent, ignorant and shameless.
Tan allegedly made such remarks in an interview with the Chinese vernacular media.
Chow said he decided to file the suit after consulting his state executive councillors following a weekly meeting at Komtar.
“The purported remarks by Tan had shamed and smeared the chief minister,” he said in a statement today.
Tan is an honorary life president of the Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce (PCCC).
The outspoken corporate leader is known for his swashbuckling style as he has been critical of state figures, especially the third chief minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.
Chow said that the necessary due process would be initiated by a lawyer.
Tan was critical of Chow’s handling of the controversial industrial land sale by the Penang Development Corporation, of which the latter is the board chairperson, to construction firm Umech Land Sdn Bhd.
The PCCC expressed their anxiety over the project, citing that the land sale was firstly below the market value.
The chamber also raised a question on why the leasehold sale was for 99 years instead of the customary 60 years.
Tan also questioned if Chow was well informed of the project.
This is also believed to be the first time that Chow, the Padang Kota assemblyman and Batu Kawan MP, had resorted to suing someone since he came into office in 2018. – The Vibes, October 19, 2023
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