THE Penang High Court heard testimonies from three former trustees of the Silver Jubilee Home for the Aged today, in a lawsuit filed against Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow by businessman Tan Sri Tan Kok Ping.
The trial, scheduled for three days until Wednesday, is being presided by Judge Datuk Quay Chew Soon. The court adjourned the proceedings, which will resume tomorrow at 9.30am.
Bernard Kok Yin Fook was the first to take the witness stand, followed by Datuk Loh Yeow Boo and Tan Kok Ping.
The lawsuit centres on a statement made by Chow regarding Tan’s resignation as a trustee of the Silver Jubilee Home for the Aged in December last year.
Chow is represented by lawyer Cheah Eng Soon, while Tan is represented by counsel Datuk K. Kirubakaran and Kek Boon Wei.
Before the trial began this morning, groups of supporters gathered to give Chow and Tan their respective support.
Chow’s supporters included Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo, state executive councillors Lim Siew Khim and Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu, Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, Bukit Tengah assemblyman Gooi Hsiao-Leung, Chow’s political secretary Lau Keng Ee, Chow’s senior confidential secretary Mohd Balkish Othman, Chow’s private secretary Lai Hon Meng, state Communications Division director and Chief Minister’s press secretary Yap Lee Ying, Chow’s special coordinating officer Lay Hock Peng, former legal adviser Datuk Norazmi Narawi, state Amanah secretary Zahar Zainul, MBPP councillor Alan Lim, MBSP councillors Rachel Teh and Ooi Yong Wooi, YB Lim Hui Ying’s special officer Por Cheng Han, former DAP members Hew Kuan Yau, popularly known as “Superman Hew” and former Tanjong Bungah assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu.
Tan was accompanied by Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce president Datuk Seri Hong Yeam Wah, along with family members, friends and staff.
The court had previously ordered a mediation session in May, but both parties were unable to reach a settlement.