Zahid reminds Loke of pledge to resign from Cabinet post if Najib is released for house arrest today

KUALA LUMPUR, November 6 — Deputy Prime Minister and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi urged Transport Minister Anthony Loke to quit his cabinet post if former Prime Minister Najib Razak is granted release today from house arrest. Zahid emphasized the importance of Loke's commitment during a press conference in Istanbul, stating, "I hope he will fulfil his promise. This is not merely a political statement."

Zahid is currently in Istanbul for a four-day visit, where he is participating as a panelist at the TRT World Forum 2026 and meeting on TVET and education cooperation. The issue arose after Umno confirmed the payment of the RM50 million fine at the Kuala Lumpur High Court, allowing Najib to serve the remainder of his term under house arrest until August 23, 2028, provided the fine and other conditions are met.

Najib had earlier announced his resignation letter to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on September 29, but was temporarily retained in his position. The Malaysian Prime Minister has been incarcerated at Kajang Prison since August 23, 2022, following the Federal Court's confirmation of his conviction for misappropriating RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd.

Initially sentenced to 12 years in prison and a RM210 million fine, the Federal Territories Pardons Board reduced the penalties to six years and RM50 million in January 2024.