Peletakan jawatan berkuat kuasa sebaik Najib jalani tahanan rumah, kata Loke

Dato Seri Loke Siew Fook, the DAP Deputy President, has stated that his position as Minister of Transport will only become effective once former Prime Minister Najib Razak is released from imprisonment to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest. Loke met with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim yesterday to discuss the matter, expressing his firm intention to assume the role if Najib is granted release.

He told reporters at a media briefing, "Anwar advised me to continue my duties for now, and he will make the decision, but I believe there should be a time period. That time period is when Najib Razak returns home, then my position will become effective." Loke said Anwar is aware of the reason behind his position, which relates to Najib's house arrest.

However, as of today, Najib has not returned home, so Anwar has asked Loke to continue his duties while Najib remains in custody. Should Najib be released and return home tomorrow, Loke's position will become effective. He has also forwarded his letter of position to the Prime Minister. Loke added that no one is known to be replacing him due to his position not yet being effective.

The DAP Central Executive Council has decided only Loke will take the post of conditional pardon successor to Najib. The party will remain in power, and other ministers will continue in the Cabinet. Najib, who is involved in the SRC International case, will be allowed to serve the remainder of his prison term under house arrest if he pays a fine of RM50 million.

However, his son Nizar has said his father will not be able to explain the fine, even though his assets have been frozen. UMNO has launched a fund to help Najib pay the fine immediately after the pardon was announced, and has collected RM9.25 million as of Sunday.