KUCHING: Democratic Action Party (DAP) secretary-general Anthony Loke has offered to resign as Transport Minister in protest against the conditional pardon granted to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.
Loke announced the move today (Sept 19) after DAP’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) met for three hours to deliberate on the party’s position.
“As a party, we have a stand. We feel this is difficult to accept for DAP and many Malaysians.
“Hence, we have discussed for three hours and debated, and we have reached a decision,” he told a press conference.
Loke said he would submit his resignation letter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim soon.
“My resignation as Transport Minister reflects DAP’s position. I will submit the letter to the Prime Minister soon,” he said.
The move applies only to Loke, with DAP’s other ministers and deputy ministers remaining in the Unity Government in the interest of political stability.
Loke said the Transport Ministry would continue to function as usual while he discusses outstanding matters with Anwar.
“Ministers come and go, the ministry will function as usual.
“Projects that are already ongoing will continue, because the ministry won’t stop functioning,” he said.
The development follows Friday’s decision granting Najib a conditional pardon, allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028, subject to payment of a RM50 million fine and compliance with the conditions imposed.
DAP subsequently convened its emergency CEC meeting to determine its position and next steps over the decision.
Najib has been serving his sentence since August 2022 following his conviction in the SRC International case. His original 12-year jail term and RM210 million fine were reduced in 2024 to six years and RM50 million respectively.
Meanwhile, UMNO has launched the Najib Razak Solidarity Fund to help him pay the RM50 million fine.
