KUALA LUMPUR: The appointment of the new Transport Minister to replace Anthony Loke is the Prime Minister’s sole discretion and prerogative, says DAP chairman Gobind Singh Deo.
The Digital Minister also refused to confirm rumours that he may be chosen to replace Loke.
Gobind was responding to the media on the replacement of Loke, who resigned as the Transport Minister on Nov 10 in protest of the house arrest of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
The Digital Minister said this after launching the National AI Readiness Week 2026 here in Ampang on Thursday (Nov 12).
“That is for the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to decide. The question of appointment of ministers is a matter that is the sole discussion of the Prime Minister. So, let's leave it to him,” said Gobind.
When pressed further to state if he may step in to be the Acting Transport Minister, Gobind replied, “Let us let the Prime Minister decide on that. As I said, the Prime Minister knows, and he will decide.
“I've been asked this question even when I was walking into the event, but to me it really comes back down to this: let the Prime Minister decide.
“It is he who will know best; it is he that will decide who he thinks can run the ministry best. Whether there's a need for a new minister.
“It’s not something that I can speak of because, what do you call it, it's not within my knowledge,” said Gobind.
On Nov 10, Loke, who is also DAP secretary-general, resigned in protest against the decision allowing Najib to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest.
Prior, on Sept 18, the Pardons Board announced a conditional royal pardon allowing Najib to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest, and Loke had then announced that he would resign from the Cabinet in response to the decision.
On Sept 28, he submitted his resignation letter to Anwar but agreed to remain temporarily until the house arrest actually takes effect.
