KUALA LUMPUR — DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke’s offer to resign as Transport Minster is aimed at appeasing the party’s supporters who are upset over Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s conditional pardon, and is the best middle-ground approach for the party walking a tightrope between principles and politics, analysts said.
As a middle-ground measure, it may only soothe some, and not all, of those angry at the party which is perceived as having strayed from its anti-corruption principles by remaining in the unity government.
Datuk Dr Professor Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said DAP had to balance between giving a “tangible political response” to the conditional pardon for Najib without a total withdrawal from the government.
“However, not all grassroots members will necessarily consider the move sufficient. For those who view the 1MDB issue, integrity, and anti-corruption efforts as integral to DAP’s political identity, their concerns may extend beyond the position of a single minister.
“(But) the grassroots might view this approach in two ways. Some may regard it as pragmatic, as the party can still play a role within the government. Others might question whether the sacrifice of a single leader is sufficient to demonstrate the firmness of the party’s position,” Awang Azman told Scoop.
He also said questions will likely arise as to why only Loke was taking responsibility and not other DAP ministers and deputy ministers collectively.
But he agreed with Loke who said it was important to protect the government’s stability.
“For this reason, Loke’s move can be interpreted as a form of ‘controlled political responsibility’—significant enough to show that the party leadership takes the issue seriously, yet stopping short of a total withdrawal from the government,” Awang Azman added.
The socio-political analyst with Universiti Malaya said DAP’s biggest challenge remains convincing its grassroots that it can fulfil all three principles: maintain government stability, respect the royal prerogative to grant pardons, and uphold its anti-corruption stance.
Dr Lau Zhe Wei meanwhile said DAP was having difficulties addressing the perception among some members of the Chinese community that Najib had been “released”.
“The technicalities don’t matter but the perception is that he will be released. Yet, it is not DAP’s fault at all, as it is beyond their control.
“Therefore, Loke’s offer to resign is more towards maintaining support from their base,” said Lau, who is Assistant Professor of political science at the International Islamic University Malaysia.
However, Lau said if DAP really wanted to regain full support from its disenchanted grassroots, all of its ministers and deputy ministers should have resigned from the Cabinet.
The unity government would still be in power, because DAP would still be supporting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar in Parliament, Lau said.
He said Anwar could take a leaf from the past, when Barisan Nasional was in power after the 2013 general election but its component party MCA lost badly at the polls Then MCA president Tan Sri Dr Chua Soi Lek declared that his party would not accept any cabinet post because of its poor electoral performance.
“Najib, who was the prime minister then, appointed Chinese ministers to the cabinet though not from MCA. So, the same could be done and government stability need not be disrupted (even if all DAP ministers and deputies withdraw from the cabinet),” said Lau.
A withdrawal from government would also be a better way to convince the DAP grassroots and Chinese supporters as a long-term strategy, Lau added, while still declaring respect for the Yang di-Pertuan’s royal prerogative to grant pardons.
“If you don’t resign, how (else) are you going to answer the people?
“I believe that by resigning, you can show that you are still the DAP people supported, that you’re still keeping your promises,” Lau said.
For Professor Dr Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara, DAP’s decision to let Loke be the only one to take responsibility appears to be doubtful as a strategy because Najib’s pardon was out of DAP’s control.
“They are taking responsibility for something in which their hands are tied. Najib went through the judicial process and was found guilty and incarcerated. The final decision to grant him a conditional pardon is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“And Anwar may replace Loke (in the Cabinet) with someone else from DAP. I think it is like shooting yourself in the foot.” – September 20, 2026