DAP faces tough balancing act after Loke quits over Najib house arrest [WATCH]

Anthony Loke, the DAP secretary-general and transport minister, has resigned from his cabinet post following the pardoning of former premier Najib Razak. The decision to step down has been framed as a principled stance by Loke's supporters, but political analysts suggest its impact remains unclear. Dr Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub, a senior lecturer at Universiti Malaya, noted that DAP aimed to demonstrate its commitment to the issue while avoiding actions that could destabilize the government.

This decision tests the party's position at its national congress in August on whether to remain in government. However, Dr Lau Zhe Wei of International Islamic University Malaysia questioned why Loke was the sole DAP minister to resign, proposing that the entire party should quit. The house arrest decision will put DAP's stance to the test among its grassroots supporters.

Some supporters argue the technical distinction between house arrest and release does not matter, as long as the individual is freed. Lau suggested a full cabinet resignation would not necessarily mean withdrawing parliamentary support for Anwar or destabilizing the government. However, any move would need to be carefully framed to avoid being seen as defiance of the monarchy.

Loke, who announced his resignation on Saturday, said DAP respected the king's decision but acknowledged the public's difficulty in accepting the 1MDB scandal's implications.