Anwar asks Loke to review decision to quit Cabinet after Najib’s conditional pardon

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim speaks at a press conference while travelling from Shanghai to Hangzhou on China’s high-speed train, after departing from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station September 23, 2026. — Bernama pic

By Malay Mail

First Published: Wednesday, 23 Sep 2026 4:44 PM MYT

Last Modified: Wednesday, 23 Sep 2026 4:50 PM MYT

HANGZHOU, Sept 23 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged Transport Minister Anthony Loke to rethink his plan to step down from the Cabinet following the Pardons Board’s decision to grant former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak a conditional pardon.

In a New Straits Times report, Anwar said DAP should not give in to political pressure from groups seeking instability in the unity government.

“Some people ask, why Anthony Loke? Why doesn’t the whole of DAP leave? Whose suggestion is that? Why should he leave? He did nothing wrong,” he said while travelling by high‑speed train from Shanghai to Hangzhou.

He said Loke had not proposed the pardon and had “tried his best to oppose it.”

“So I think DAP should not bow to pressure from those with vested interests because they want the government to be unstable,” he added.

Anwar said he would meet Loke soon to hear his explanation and would ask him to withdraw his decision to resign.

He acknowledged that DAP and Pakatan Harapan had long taken a firm stance against kleptocracy and corruption, making the Pardons Board’s decision difficult for them to defend.

“I gave him space and did not want to rush things because I respect his decision. He is not opposing my decision or the Madani government or cooperation within the unity government,” he said.

“He feels it is difficult to defend the Pardons Board’s decision when his party, and even Pakatan Harapan, has held a very firm position on this matter from the beginning.”

Anwar said the government’s views, including the position taken by Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar during the Pardons Board meeting, had been conveyed to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.

He reminded all parties that executive power has constitutional limits and that the final decision on pardons rests with the King.

Anwar criticised politicians who alleged there was a compromise or secret pact between him and Umno leaders over the pardon.

He said his administration’s priority was to maintain political stability, uphold good relations with the Malay Rulers and steer the country’s economic direction responsibly.

He also urged Malaysians of all backgrounds to uphold loyalty to the nation through the term “Wangyue,” which he said symbolises commitment to the country.