GEORGE TOWN: Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow says his defamation suit against Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce (PCCC) life honorary president Tan Sri Tan Kok Ping is a matter of only the two involved.
As such, he said, there was no issue as to whether the defamation suit would affect the state government's relationship and cooperation with the PCCC, a non-governmental organisation.
"It (the defamation suit) is between two individuals and not between the state government leaders and the chamber concerned," he told newsmen here today.
He was asked if his action in wanting to take legal action against Tan would affect the state government's relationship with the chamber, which is considered influential in the state.
Last month, the state executive council had unanimously decided that Chow should initiate legal proceedings against Tan for his statements which humiliated and degraded the chief minister.
Chow said the decision was made at today's state exco meeting.
Tan had reportedly accused Chow of being "incompetent" for evading questions about the controversial sale of land owned by the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) in Byram to UMECH Land Sdn Bhd.
What Tan had said was widely reported in print and online.
Meanwhile, asked if he had sent the notice of demand to Tan, Chow said it would be done in the next few weeks.
He said this was because his lawyers needed time to prepare the necessary documents before being able to start the legal process.
"In a few weeks, (we will send the notice of demand), because it involves the translation of what is reported. This is because what is reported is in Chinese and the court matters are in Bahasa Malaysia.
"So my lawyers and assistants need time to translate what is reported and this will take some time," he added.