Loke to resign from cabinet after Najib's conditional pardon, DAP stays

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said he will resign from the cabinet over the conditional pardon granted to ex-prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Loke announced his decision after the DAP's central executive committee (CEC) meeting today.

"After three hours of discussions and debates, we have reached a decision. I have offered to submit my resignation as transport minister to the prime minister," Loke said in a press conference at the DAP headquarters today.

"The other DAP cabinet members will remain in the government," Loke added.

Loke said DAP, however, respected the decision regarding the pardon granted by the Federal Territories Pardons Board, made by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

Govt remains stable

Elaborating, Loke said he was the only one to offer to resign to ensure that the government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim remained stable.

He said if all DAP cabinet members resigned, it would create an opportunity for the government to fall, as its opponents hoped for.

Loke added that he would inform Anwar of his intention to resign, and would take some time to sort several matters at the ministry.

“Although they (the DAP cabinet members) are also ready at any time, the CEC decided that they would remain to ensure the government’s stability.

“DAP’s position is translated through my resignation as minister,” Loke explained.

Speaking about Najib’s pardon, Loke said that to date, there had never been an individual involved in corruption offences placed under house arrest.

“However, we respect the power of the king,” he added.

House arrest for Najib

Sultan Ibrahim granted Najib a conditional pardon yesterday, allowing him to serve the remainder of his jail sentence under house arrest.

However, the clemency comes with a caveat: Najib (below) must pay a RM50 million fine and comply with all conditions imposed under the pardon.

Yesterday, Attorney-General Dusuki Mokhtar said the conditional pardon granted to Najib only applies to the jail sentence imposed in his SRC International case.

Dusuki's clarification means Najib may have to return to prison as he is still facing several other criminal cases in court.

These include a 15-year jail sentence handed down by the Kuala Lumpur High Court last year after it convicted him on 25 charges in a separate 1MDB case. The court also ordered Najib to pay an RM11.38 billion fine. Najib is appealing the conviction.

Release board meeting minutes

In a statement on Facebook, DAP Women's wing chief Teo Nie Ching said that the decision was not made lightly and required intense deliberation.

She also urged the government to release the official minutes of the Pardons Board meeting.

Teo (below) also praised Loke's leadership following his decision.

"Loke's courage and wisdom in making a bold decision at this critical moment speak volumes about his leadership and also reflect DAP’s long-standing principle.

"In the interest of transparency and public accountability, the DAP Women's wing urges the government to disclose the official minutes of the Pardons Board meeting.

"The public deserves complete clarity on the considerations and processes that led to this decision," she added.

SNAPSHOT | Prison Dept to issue SOPs for Najib house arrest; Bukit Aman takes over viral video probe

Najib pardon decision: Unity govt relations remain good, Zahid says

Najib house arrest: Govt still waiting for official pardon notification, says Saifuddin

SNAPSHOT | Najib donation drive reaches RM1m; MACC quizzes Mat Sabu, ministry sec-gen over fertiliser deliveries delay

Prison Dept visits Najib's home to assess suitability for house arrest

1MDB case status remains unchanged after Najib's conditional pardon - MACC