Anthony Loke’s resignation as transport minister will take effect once former prime minister Najib Razak, who is expected to serve the rest of his corruption sentence under house arrest, enters his home.
Loke, who is also DAP secretary-general and was appointed transport minister in 2022, tendered his resignation in September after Najib was granted a conditional pardon. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim asked him to continue his duties until Najib was released, and DAP has remained in the government.
Umno earlier on Friday paid the RM50 million fine that was a condition of the pardon, using funds from a donation drive, and the High Court then issued a house arrest order for Najib.
Najib was jailed in August 2022 after the Federal Court upheld his conviction for abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving RM42 million in SRC International funds. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined RM210 million.
A royal pardon in January 2024 halved his sentence and cut the fine to RM50 million. In September, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, granted him a further conditional pardon allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028.
Update: On Friday evening, the Attorney-General’s Chambers said Najib’s house arrest should be temporarily deferred pending a legal review of his conditional pardon and the High Court order, and that he should remain at his existing place of detention in the meantime.