Transport Minister Anthony Loke reaffirms his pledge to resign when Najib Razak enters his home, confirming that his resignation letter has been submitted.
PETALING JAYA: Transport Minister Anthony Loke has reiterated that his resignation from the Cabinet will take effect once former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak returns home to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest.
Loke said his position remained unchanged despite Najib not having been transferred from prison, adding that he had already submitted his resignation letter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“My position has always been clear. The moment Najib arrives at his home, my resignation will take effect,” he said at a press conference today.
Loke said he understood that the RM50 million fine imposed on Najib had been paid at the Kuala Lumpur High Court this morning.
“However, I was informed by the Home Minister that Najib has yet to be allowed to return home. I also received information that he had been taken to the prison clinic for a medical examination today.
“This means he has not yet been transferred home,” he said.
Loke said DAP respected the powers and prerogative of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in matters relating to pardons, as provided for under the Federal Constitution.
However, he said the party believed that allowing Najib to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest could send the wrong message to future generations, given the former prime minister’s involvement in a scandal that had significantly affected the country’s economy and international image.
“We believe that granting house arrest to Najib could send an inappropriate message to the generations to come, given the scandal and its significant impact on the country’s economy and image,” he said.
Loke said Anwar had previously asked him to continue performing his duties until the RM50 million payment issue was resolved and Najib was allowed to return home.
He said he had attended the Cabinet meeting this morning before chairing the Transport Ministry’s post-Cabinet meeting to settle administrative matters and ensure the smooth continuation of the ministry’s programmes.
Loke also expressed his appreciation to Anwar for the trust and mandate given to him throughout his 47 months as Transport Minister, a position he has held since December 2022.
“I would like to express my appreciation to the Prime Minister for the trust and mandate given to me throughout my 47 months of service as Transport Minister,” he said.
He also thanked the ministry’s secretary-general, deputy secretaries-general, division secretaries, officers and staff for their commitment and cooperation throughout his tenure.
“I am deeply indebted to them for the tremendous support and cooperation they have given me in carrying out my responsibilities as minister,” he said.
Loke added that he would submit an additional letter to Anwar to clarify the effective date of his resignation, although his initial resignation letter had already been handed over.
“If Najib arrives home tonight, my resignation will take effect tonight. If he arrives tomorrow, then it will take effect tomorrow,” he said.
On the ministry’s future direction, Loke assured that all planned initiatives and projects would continue as scheduled despite his impending departure.
He expressed confidence that ministry officers would ensure continuity in implementing its programmes and initiatives, including those announced under Budget 2027.
“Even if I am no longer the Transport Minister, I will remain a Member of Parliament and continue to support the ministry and its officers.
“Whatever assistance or contribution I can provide, I will be more than willing to do so,” he said.
On Sept 19, Loke announced that he would resign as Transport Minister following the decision to grant Najib a conditional pardon allowing him to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest. He also confirmed that other DAP ministers and deputy ministers would remain in the Federal Government.
Anwar had previously urged Loke to reconsider his decision, saying he respected DAP’s longstanding stance against kleptocracy and corruption but hoped the party would not withdraw from the unity government over the issue.
Earlier today, UMNO secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki announced that the party had officially closed its Najib Razak Solidarity Fund after contributions reached the target and were sufficient for its intended purpose.
Asyraf said the party had completed all payment procedures at the Kuala Lumpur High Court this morning.
The fund was launched on Sept 18 to collect public donations to assist the former prime minister.
Najib was granted a conditional pardon by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, allowing him to serve the remainder of his prison sentence in the SRC International case under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028, subject to payment of a RM50 million fine and compliance with other conditions.
In January 2024, the Pardons Board reduced his prison sentence from 12 years to six years and lowered his fine from RM210 million to RM50 million.
