SANDAKAN: DAP's decision to keep its ministers and deputy ministers in government amid secretary-general Anthony Loke's resignation over Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s house arrest is aimed at completing reforms before the Madani government's term ends.
DAP national policy director Datuk Chan Foong Hin said the party's central executive committee had decided that Loke alone would resign to demonstrate DAP's stand on the issue, while other party representatives would remain in government to maintain stability and carry out their responsibilities.
"We want to achieve two objectives at the same time. First, we need to make it clear to the government that we still stand by our principles. But at the same time, we also need to be pragmatic.
"We need to ensure that the present government continues to function as usual until the end of its term because we still have unfinished business," he said.
Chan, who is also Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister, was speaking to reporters after the Sabah DAP annual convention at Kenalanmu Seafood Restaurant here on Sunday (Nov 8).
Chan said several matters remained unfinished, including institutional reforms and legislative changes which the government had pledged to pursue before the end of its term.
Loke announced on Sept 19 that he would resign as Transport Minister following the conditional pardon granted to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, which would allow him to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest.
He submitted his resignation letter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Sept 28 and reiterated on Friday (Nov 6) that it would take effect once Najib returned home.
However, Najib's transfer to house arrest was put on hold on Friday (Nov 6) after the Attorney-General's Chambers sought further legal clarification on the conditional pardon and its implications for his prison sentences.
