‘Whether or not we accept it, we can vote’: Loke tells Melaka to use ballot box to convey feelings on Najib’s house arrest

MELAKA, Nov 11 — Fresh from resigning from the federal Cabinet, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke has urged voters in Melaka who are aggrieved by former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s house arrest to channel their dissatisfaction through the ballot box in Saturday’s state election.

Addressing a Pakatan Harapan ceramah in Ayer Keroh last night, Loke acknowledged widespread public indignation over the decision, while noting that the royal prerogative of mercy enshrined in the Federal Constitution must be respected.

“I am sure many people cannot accept the fact that Najib can serve his sentence under house arrest. Of course, we respect the power of the king, the Federal Constitution and the rule of law. The pardon is provided for under the constitution.

“Whether or not we accept that decision, we can express our views through the ballot box,” he said in a report by FMT.

Loke’s rallying call follows his formal resignation as transport minister yesterday, stepping down with immediate effect after the High Court allowed Najib to serve the remainder of his SRC International prison sentence under house arrest.

While acknowledging the national political fallout, Loke cautioned voters against viewing the state polls through a single topic, arguing that the election ultimately decides community representation, regional development, and household welfare.

“Of course, the election is not just about one person. It’s not just about Najib. It’s also about elected representatives and local development,” he said.

Reassuring supporters, Loke reaffirmed that despite his departure from the Cabinet, DAP will continue to deliver its full parliamentary backing to Anwar, guaranteeing government stability until the federal administration completes its full mandate.