Loke tenders resignation as minister, says last day is 'when Najib goes home'

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke confirmed today that he has officially tendered his resignation as transport minister.

Loke said he had met with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim yesterday to submit his resignation letter and was told to remain in office for the time being, pending a final decision.

“The prime minister will decide, but I also said (to Anwar) that there needs to be a time frame,” he told reporters after officiating the Malaysia Maritime Week 2026 in Kuala Lumpur.

Loke said during the discussion, he mentioned that the decision was made due to the house arrest granted to Najib Abdul Razak.

“But as of today, Najib has not yet returned home. So, he (PM) asked me to continue carrying out my duties for as long as Najib has not returned home.

“If he is released tomorrow and returns home, then my resignation will take effect,” he added.

No replacement yet

Quizzed further on his potential replacement, Loke said, “There is no replacement yet. That has not been decided.

“The decision for me to resign has already been made. So that is clear. The question of my replacement and related matters is at the prime minister’s discretion,” he stressed.

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar granted Najib (above) a conditional pardon on Sept 18, allowing the former prime minister to serve the remainder of his SRC International prison sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028.

The order is conditional on Najib paying a RM50 million fine and complying with the conditions imposed.

Party's position

The following day, DAP’s central executive committee decided that Loke would resign from the cabinet to reflect the party’s disagreement with the house-arrest decision, while its other ministers and deputy ministers would remain in government.

Loke said at the time that having all DAP ministers resign could jeopardise the stability of the Anwar administration.

“As I said, my discussion with the prime minister was about the reasons for, and why, I am resigning. This is a party decision.

“The party made this decision based on DAP’s response and position on the issue of Najib’s house arrest, which we disagree with.

“So, what action do we take to reflect our position? I, as the secretary-general, am resigning to underscore the party’s position on this issue,” Loke said today.

He also stressed it remains unclear when Najib will be released, pending a full settlement of the RM50 million fine.

Umno launched the Najib Razak Solidarity Fund on Sept 18 to help its former president pay the RM50 million fine, with party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi calling on leaders, members and supporters to contribute voluntarily.

As of last Sunday, Zahid revealed that the fund has raised over RM9 million.

Najib’s lawyer Shafee Abdullah has said the former premier cannot freely access much of his wealth because a significant portion of his assets, bank accounts and properties remain frozen, and that he would remain in Kajang Prison until the fine is settled.

Najib's clemency: No need to sulk, get angry over it, DAP leader says as Loke quits

Najib still can't afford to pay RM50m fine even if assets unfrozen – son

House arrest: What is stopping Najib from using Rosmah's phone?

M'sian Bar again challenges Najib pardon, this time over house arrest