DAP chairman Gobind Singh Deo says the appointment of a new Transport Minister following Anthony Loke’s resignation rests entirely with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
KUALA LUMPUR: The decision on whether to appoint a new Transport Minister following Anthony Loke’s resignation rests entirely with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, DAP chairman Gobind Singh Deo said.
Gobind said Anwar had the authority to determine whether the vacant Cabinet position required a replacement and who would be best suited to take over the ministry.
“That is for the Prime Minister to decide. The appointment of ministers is entirely within the Prime Minister’s discretion. So, we leave it to him.
“He knows best and will decide who he considers most suitable to lead the ministry effectively, or whether there is a need to appoint a new minister. I do not know and cannot comment further as this is beyond my knowledge,” he told reporters here today.
His comments came amid speculation that he could be among the frontrunners to replace Loke, who also serves as DAP secretary-general.
Asked whether the party had put forward potential candidates or received a request from Anwar to submit names for consideration, Gobind, who is also Digital Minister, maintained that the matter was solely the Prime Minister’s decision.
Loke had earlier announced his resignation as Transport Minister following the implementation of a house arrest order involving former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
In a separate development, Gobind declined to comment on reports that the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) had opposed the Malaysian Bar’s court application relating to Najib’s house arrest.
He said the legal proceedings should be allowed to run their course before any conclusions were drawn.
“As far as I know and have read today, the application has been filed. So, let the law take its course and we will see what happens next,” he said.
