SHAH ALAM, Selangor: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will meet the Democratic Action Party’s (DAP) Secretary-General, Anthony Loke Siew Fook, soon to hear his views before deciding on Loke’s offer to resign as Transport Minister.
Anwar said Loke had personally informed him of the matter, adding that he understood the decision was made following the conditional pardon granted to former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
“He has informed me, but I haven’t had the chance to discuss anything with him yet. I need to hear his views, but I understand because he is a man of principle. From the start, he has been consistent in opposing anything that could give the impression that we are weak or lenient on corruption.
“Especially when we are taking action against many others, including petty corrupt figures. Therefore, it is best that I meet him, listen to his views, and only then can I make a decision,” he told reporters after the ‘Perintis Reformis Reunion Hi-Tea’ event at the Selangor International Trade Centre (SITC) here today.
On Saturday (Sept. 19), Loke offered to step down as Transport Minister in line with DAP’s stance regarding the conditional pardon for Najib.
He said the official resignation letter would be submitted to Anwar in the near future.
Asked when the meeting would take place, Anwar said it would likely be held after both he and Loke returned from their respective visits to Shanghai, China.
“He just had a meeting yesterday. He has informed me that he will bring the letter and discuss the matter with me. I told him that it is fine, we can meet when we have the time. I am here today, and then heading to Melaka. If I am not mistaken, he is leaving for Shanghai tomorrow, and I will be heading there on Tuesday for discussions with Premier Li Qiang,” he said.
Asked whether the development would lead to a Cabinet reshuffle in the near future, Anwar replied: “Let’s take things one step at a time.”
On Friday (Sept. 18), His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, granted a conditional pardon to Najib, allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until August 23, 2028, subject to payment of a RM50-million fine and other set conditions.
The Prime Minister’s Department’s Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) said that the matter was decided during the 64th Pardons Board Meeting for the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya held at Istana Negara. – BERNAMA
