Loke Offers Resignation as Transport Minister Following Najib’s Conditional Pardon

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 19 — DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke Siew Fook has offered to resign as Transport Minister following the decision to grant a conditional pardon to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Speaking at a press conference following a three-hour central executive committee meeting this evening, Loke announced that he would be the sole DAP leader offering to step down, explaining that the decision was structured to safeguard overall political stability. He revealed that certain political rivals were anticipating a complete withdrawal of DAP from the ruling Cabinet to induce a political crisis, a maneuver the party refuses to facilitate.

“We are aware that there are parties out there that are waiting for DAP to leave the government, so they can create political instability and cause Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to lose his majority support and then dissolve Parliament,” Loke said. “DAP is well aware of their political games and their hope that we will make a decision that helps achieve their goals. But we will not give them the opportunity to do so. We don’t want to give ammunition to our adversaries.”

Loke maintained that offering his individual resignation represents a responsible stance that communicates the party’s position regarding the pardon while preserving administration stability. He confirmed plans to submit his official resignation letter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim shortly, noting that he will require some time to manage outstanding ministry matters prior to his departure.

He assured that his stepping down, should the Prime Minister accept the offer, will not jeopardize ongoing operations within the Transport Ministry.

The announcement follows the decision permitting Najib to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028, subject to the payment of a RM50 million fine in connection with his SRC International conviction. Najib, 73, has been serving his sentence at Kajang Prison after the Federal Territories Pardons Board reduced his original 12-year prison term and RM210 million fine in February 2024.

–NMT