PUTRAJAYA: Transport Minister Anthony Loke (pic) will resign from his Cabinet post the moment Datuk Seri Najib Razak arrives at his residence to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest.
Loke said his decision remained unchanged despite the RM50mil payment issue being settled at the High Court yesterday.
“My position is clear. I have informed the secretary-general and ministry officers that the moment Najib arrives at his home, my resignation will take effect immediately,” he told a press conference at the Transport Ministry’s headquarters.
Loke said he had tendered his resignation to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Sept 28 following the Pardons Board’s decision allowing Najib to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.
He said the RM50mil payment had been settled at the High Court that morning, but Najib had yet to be allowed to return home.
“I was informed by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, that he (Najib) has not yet been allowed to return home,” he said.
Loke clarified that reports suggesting Najib had left Kajang Prison were inaccurate, as the former prime minister had been taken to a scheduled dental appointment.
Loke said his resignation reflected DAP’s position on the house arrest decision, while stressing that the party respected His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia’s constitutional powers and prerogative in matters of pardon.
“However, we believe that granting house arrest to Najib, who was involved in a scandal that had such a significant impact on the country’s economy and image, could send the wrong message to future generations.”
He said Anwar had previously asked him to continue carrying out his duties until the RM50mil payment issue was resolved and Najib was allowed to return home.
Loke, who has served as Transport Minister for 47 months since November 2022, said he had attended the Cabinet meeting yesterday before chairing the ministry’s post-Cabinet meeting to ensure a smooth transition.
Despite his impending resignation, Loke said the ministry’s programmes would continue.
