Will Anwar’s coalition in Malaysia implode amid Loke exit, Najib house arrest?

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has suffered a double whammy as his Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition scrambles to placate public outrage over disgraced ex-leader Najib Razak being granted house arrest, and the shock resignation of his transport minister in protest of the royal clemency.

But observers do not expect the administration, already reeling from PH defeats in recent months in two state elections as federal allies turned against the coalition, to implode just yet.

Anwar and PH’s reformist credentials took a hit on Friday after the Pardons Board announced that Najib would be allowed to serve out the remainder of his jail term at home, provided the former prime minister settles his 50 million ringgit (US$10.3 million) fine.

In response, Anthony Loke, secretary general of the Democratic Action Party (DAP), announced on Saturday that he would resign from cabinet in a move widely seen as decrying Najib’s house arrest.