DAP yet to discuss replacing Anthony Loke as transport minister, says party vice-chairman

DAP has yet to discuss a replacement for Transport Minister Anthony Loke, whose resignation remains conditional on Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s house arrest. — Bernama pic

By Malay Mail

First Published: Saturday, 07 Nov 2026 5:02 PM MYT

Last Modified: Saturday, 07 Nov 2026 5:03 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 — DAP has yet to discuss a replacement for Transport Minister Anthony Loke, whose resignation remains conditional on former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak returning home to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest.

DAP vice-chairman Syahredzan Johan said discussions about a potential successor would be premature because Loke’s resignation had not taken effect, the New Straits Times reported.

“For now, his resignation has not taken effect until Datuk Seri Najib sets foot in his house, so it is inappropriate to discuss who the replacement will be,” he said when contacted.

Syahredzan also stressed that Cabinet appointments remained the prerogative of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who would consult DAP’s leadership before making any decision.

“Cabinet appointments are the prerogative of the prime minister. Of course, the prime minister will make a decision after discussions with the DAP secretary-general himself,” he said.

Loke, who is also DAP secretary-general, reaffirmed yesterday that his resignation would take effect only when Najib physically returned home to begin serving his sentence under house arrest.

He had submitted his resignation letter to Anwar on September 28 in protest against the conditional royal pardon granted to Najib, reflecting DAP’s opposition to the house arrest arrangement.

The uncertainty over Loke’s departure follows the payment of Najib’s RM50 million fine yesterday, fulfilling a key condition of the royal pardon.

The Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) subsequently sought a temporary deferment of Najib’s transfer to house arrest, citing unresolved legal questions over the effect of the conditional pardon and a court discharge order.

The AGC said clarification was needed on the implications for Najib’s separate 15-year prison sentence in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) case, which is under appeal.

Istana Negara, however, maintained today that the conditional pardon granted by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim was clear and unambiguous, and that all its conditions had been fulfilled.

The AGC has said it is not challenging the King’s constitutional power to grant pardons but is seeking judicial clarification to ensure that the relevant orders are implemented lawfully.

Najib, 73, has been imprisoned since August 2022 following his conviction over the misappropriation of RM42 million belonging to SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1MDB.

On September 18, Sultan Ibrahim granted Najib a conditional royal pardon allowing him to serve the remainder of his SRC International sentence under house arrest until August 23, 2028, subject to payment of the RM50 million fine and other stipulated conditions.