Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is weighing Transport Minister Anthony Loke’s resignation, putting a coalition party’s opposition to Najib Razak’s house-arrest ruling at the center of a government decision.
Bernama reported Nov. 13 that Anwar had received Loke’s letter but had not accepted the resignation. Anwar said the government did not need to rush its decision. The Star reported that Loke said his resignation took effect Nov. 10, after the court ruling.
The Star had reported a day earlier that Anwar had yet to receive Loke’s formal letter. Bernama’s Nov. 13 account said Anwar had received it, updating that earlier report.
Bernama’s account of the hearing said the High Court reversed a Nov. 6 discharge order. Under the ruling, Najib can complete at home the remainder of his reduced six-year sentence in the SRC International case through Aug. 23, 2028. He is due back at Kajang Prison on Aug. 24, 2028, to serve a separate sentence in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) case, Bernama reported. The agency also said Najib paid a RM50 million fine on Nov. 6, a condition of the pardon arrangements described in the proceedings.
Loke is secretary-general of the Democratic Action Party (DAP), which is part of Anwar’s governing Pakatan Harapan coalition. CNA reported that DAP’s central executive committee decided in September that Loke should resign to oppose Najib serving his sentence at home. Loke said the party respected the king’s authority to grant pardons, CNA reported. Earlier, Loke said Anwar had asked him to remain in Cabinet temporarily, with his departure tied to Najib returning home, CNA reported.
At a rally in Melaka on Nov. 12, Anwar praised Loke’s Cabinet work, describing him as “trustworthy” and “hardworking,” CNA reported. The outlet also reported that opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin compared the resignation episode to “Chinese opera” and suggested there had been a deal behind the scenes.
