Has Anthony Loke earned an unenviable place in the nation's record books as the first high-profile minister to submit an official resignation letter to the PM with special “terms and conditions”?
It seems like DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke has caused a major stir after announcing that he had officially tendered his resignation as Transport Minister to PM Anwar Ibrahim.
Somewhat bizarrely, however, he reportedly specified in the letter that his last day in office will be "when Najib goes home".
In simple terms, Loke will pack up and leave only after Najib is “freed” from jail and placed under house arrest!
In any case, after meeting Anwar to hand over the letter, Loke was told to stay in office to carry on with duties while awaiting a final decision.
So, hang on, has he actually resigned—or has he been granted a “temporary pass” to continue serving as a Cabinet minister until further notice?
This raises the question: why do some politicians implicate others and create a fanfare when they throw in their “I quit” letter?
Why can't they leave quietly with dignity, and not set terms or even make U-turns?
Some might call it a “coincidence,” but it was only last July when many DAP supporters were busy taking potshots at firebrand UMNO Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh after he offered to resubmit his resignation as a Melaka executive councillor.
Just like Loke, his quit notice also came with a comical caveat: it would only take effect if DAP's Nga Kor Ming stepped down from the Cabinet.
For the record, Akmal had actually announced his resignation earlier in January, only for Melaka Chief Minister Ab Rauf Yusoh to reject it.
Likewise, hasn't Anwar also rejected Loke's conditional resignation—while waiting for a “final decision” to be made?
Whatever the case, all these dramas only serve to underscore how politicians from both sides of the divide seem to treat the public as if the latter were an audience watching paid entertainers!
God forbid, but have they actually turned politics into “showbiz” in this country?
One might even wonder if—regardless of the party they represent—they actually share the exact same political DNA.
The thing is, like any appointment letter that comes with a commencement date, shouldn't an official resignation notice also come with a clear and effective exit date?
In fact, if a resignation comes with attached terms and conditions, is it even valid in the first place? Why not simply wait until the conditions are met?
Why the hurry to submit the resignation letter?
Another pertinent question is: can the Prime Minister actually "reject" a Minister's voluntary resignation if the latter strictly insists on walking out? The answer has to be a resounding “NO,” as you cannot force someone to serve against their will.
In Loke's case, by inserting a peculiar condition in his resignation letter, won't he be accused by his political opponents of merely grandstanding or even seeking cheap publicity?
More significantly, since his own party leaders have accepted the decision to step down from the Cabinet, shouldn't it be irrevocable then?
As the top leader of the party, is it right to break ranks and bend to others?
Moreover, just because Najib’s potential house arrest order has conditions, does that mean the DAP leader must also attach conditions to his own principles?
Even to neutral observers wouldn't that appear vengeful and unstatesmanlike?
In fact, detractors can now claim that by putting a “pause” clause on his departure, Loke can continue to enjoy ministerial powers while secretly hoping that the house arrest process gets bogged down by bureaucracy and legalities.
It looks like, in their passion to serve the nation, certain DAP leaders may have forgotten that they are still politicians—answerable and accountable to their own grassroots and voters.
Or have they become prima donnas—disconnected from their humble base?
Furthermore, being renowned for their unwavering integrity and firmness, DAP leaders should be aware that a resignation should be based on logical principles—not subjective terms and conditions!
Anyway, it's surely too late to retract the letter now, but the real fear is this: if they continue on this trajectory, won't more of the party's restless supporters choose to stay home when the next election comes around?
The bottom line is simple: if DAP’s latest resignation “stunt” was meant to prove to party loyalists and others that its top leadership is truly a principled lot, did Loke's unconventional move actually achieve its goal—or has it backfired?
Main information source: Malaysiakini and NST.
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