Anthony Loke Resigns As Transport Minister After Najib Granted House Arrest Upon Paying RM50 Million Fine

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook has officially stepped down as Transport Minister, effective immediately.

According to a report by FMT, his resignation follows a High Court order allowing former Prime Minister Najib Razak to serve the remainder of his SRC International prison sentence under house arrest.

Loke had announced resignation earlier

Image Credit: NST

It is understood that Loke had announced his intention to resign as Transport Minister in September. However, he would only officially step down once Najib began serving the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.

Loke, who had served as Transport Minister since December 2022, reportedly tendered his resignation after Najib was granted a conditional pardon. However, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim urged him to remain in office until the former premier's release was finalised.

In addition to expressing his gratitude to Anwar for entrusting him with the role, Loke also issued a statement thanking the Transport Ministry's senior management and staff.

"I also thank the transport ministry's senior management and staff members for their commitment and cooperation throughout my time leading the ministry. I will offer my full cooperation to ensure a smooth transfer of duties to my successor so that all of the ministry's responsibilities and initiatives can continue to be carried out for the people."

Najib arrives at KL residence after release

Image Credit: The Star

Meanwhile, Najib returned to his residence in Jalan Langgak Duta last night (10 November) after spending four years behind bars.

He was escorted to the residence in a grey SUV as part of a large police convoy comprising 10 police vehicles and led by two police motorcycles.

Upon arriving at the residence, he was greeted by chants of "Bossku" from supporters waiting outside the police checkpoint.

In July 2020, Najib was convicted of misappropriating RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd. The former prime minister was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment and fined RM210 million.

In February 2024, the Pardons Board announced that the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, had halved Najib's prison sentence from 12 years to six years. His fine was also reduced from RM210 million to RM50 million.

Image Credit: Astro Awani

Later that year, the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister's Department, which serves as the Pardons Board secretariat, announced that His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, had consented to granting Najib a conditional pardon.

The decision allows Najib to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until 23 August 2028. However, he remains required to pay the RM50 million fine and comply with all conditions attached to the pardon.

Last week, on 6 November, UMNO announced that it had settled the RM50 million fine through a crowdfunding initiative. The payment was subsequently confirmed by Najib's defence counsel.

However, on the same day, the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) announced that implementation of the house arrest arrangement had been temporarily deferred.

Featured Image Credit: The Sun, NST