Four members of the social club are taking legal action against its president for a message he wrote in the club's newsletter.

They felt that parts of the message were defamatory to them, and are demanding that he issue an apology in the newsletter and pay for damages to their reputation, among other things.

Mr Philip Beng, a chartered accountant who was elected president a year ago, had written in the April issue of the newsletter that the club cannot allow 'affluent' members to take legal action against it each time a club rule is not followed.

He said a severe penalty must be imposed to prevent this. His remarks riled the four members who felt the criticism was directed at them.

They believed his remarks had stemmed from two ongoing disputes involving them and the president and club.

In the first case, the four - Ms Angela Loke, Mr C.K. Chang, Mr Cheong Karm Ho and Mr Joseph Chew, who are all general committee members - have taken the president to task for removing Ms Loke as the club's magazine and website convenor in August last year.

She was the editor of the club's newsletter until she was removed.

A notice of mediation has been served on Mr Beng and the club.

Read the full story in tomorrow's edition of The Sunday Time.