KUALA LUMPUR – Transport Minister Anthony Loke has stood firm on his pledge to resign from the Cabinet the moment Datuk Seri Najib Razak is allowed to return home, insisting that the settlement of the RM50 million payment involving the former prime minister will not change his position.
Loke said his position remained unchanged, making it clear that Najib’s return home would automatically trigger his departure from the Cabinet.
Speaking at a press conference in Putrajaya today, Loke said he had already communicated his decision to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and senior officials at the Transport Ministry.
“My position is clear, and I have repeatedly conveyed it to the secretary-general and ministry officials: the moment Najib arrives at his home, my resignation will take effect immediately,” he said.
Loke acknowledged that the RM50 million payment had been settled at the High Court this morning but stressed that Najib had yet to be allowed to return home.
He said he had been informed by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail that Najib had been sent for a medical examination, following reports that the former prime minister had left Kajang Prison.
“However, I was informed that he had been sent for a medical examination. This means that he has not yet been sent home. Nevertheless, my position remains unchanged,” he said.
Loke also confirmed that he had discussed the matter with Anwar after the Cabinet meeting earlier today, but insisted that the discussion had not changed his decision.
He said his resignation letter had already been submitted to the Prime Minister and that he would send an additional letter to Anwar once Najib arrived home.
Loke’s position follows his objection to the prospect of Najib serving the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest, citing the damage caused by the former prime minister’s involvement in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.
Loke maintained that while he respected the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s constitutional powers and prerogative in matters concerning pardons, granting Najib house arrest could send the wrong message to future generations.
“I respect the powers and prerogatives of His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in matters concerning pardons, as provided for under the Federal Constitution.
“However, our ministry’s view is that granting Najib house arrest, given his involvement in a scandal that has had such a significant impact on the country’s economy and image, could send an inappropriate message to future generations,” he said.
Loke’s resignation threat came amid DAP’s opposition to the arrangement allowing Najib to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest, following the controversy surrounding the royal addendum linked to his partial pardon.
The former prime minister was convicted in the SRC International case involving RM42 million and had his original 12-year prison sentence and RM210 million fine reduced by the Pardons Board in January 2024.
Despite his impending departure from the cabinet, Loke said he remained confident that the Transport Ministry’s ongoing programmes and projects would continue without disruption.
He said he had used today’s post cabinet meeting to thank ministry officials for their cooperation and support throughout his 47-month tenure, which began in November 2022.
Loke also expressed his gratitude to Anwar for the trust and mandate given to him, while acknowledging the contributions of the ministry’s Secretary-General, Datuk Seri Jana Santhiran, deputy secretaries-general, division secretaries and other personnel.
He said he would continue to support the ministry even after leaving the Cabinet, as he would remain a Member of Parliament and would be available to assist its officers whenever necessary.
Among the initiatives expected to proceed as scheduled are the My50 Commuter programme, which is targeted for launch by December, and the PCRF, which is scheduled to begin operations on Dec 12.
The Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link is also expected to begin operations in February, with Loke expressing confidence that the ministry’s plans would continue as intended.
He added that he had been invited by the ministry’s Secretary-General to attend its Deepavali celebration next Wednesday, saying he would return to meet ministry personnel on that occasion. – November 6, 2026