PASIR GUDANG: The Prime Minister should persuade Anthony Loke to stay on as Transport Minister to ensure several major projects are completed, says Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim.
The PKR lawmaker added that Loke’s continued presence in the Cabinet was important as projects including the Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS), East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), the proposed Pasir Gudang railway and the autonomous rapid transit (ART) system had yet to be fully implemented.
"Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should listen to Loke’s reasons before deciding whether to accept his offer to resign," Hassan told a press conference after a dialogue between the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry and local business owners here on Tuesday (Sept 22).
"We have instances where political leaders rejected the resignations of members of their administrations.
"I hope that... Anwar... will persuade Loke to stay. We are already close to the general election and Loke is an asset to the government and Pakatan Harapan," he said.
He added that he respected Loke’s decision to offer to resign following the conditional pardon granted to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, describing it as an act of taking responsibility.
"He lost in Negri Sembilan, his party DAP lost, and Pakatan lost. Loke took responsibility and offered to resign and I regard that as a responsible action," he said.
However, Hassan said the decision ultimately rested with Anwar, who had indicated that he would listen to Loke's reasons before making a decision.
Hassan cited the recent example of Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh rejecting the resignation of state executive councillor Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, as well as instances during the administration of Malaysia’s first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj.
He said such examples showed that a resignation did not necessarily mean it had to be accepted, particularly when the services of a minister or member of the administration were still necessary.
Hassan also said that Loke’s departure from the government at this stage could affect the continuity of several major transportation projects in Johor.
"RTS is not finished yet. ETS is not finished yet, and the Pasir Gudang railway, which he started to turn into a transportation system, is also not completed. ART has not even started," he said.
