{
  "id": 19432444,
  "title": "‘Whether or not we accept it, we can vote’: Loke tells Melaka to use ballot box to convey feelings on Najib’s house arrest",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/11/whether-or-not-we-accept-it-we-can-vote-loke-tells-melaka-to-use",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-11T02:09:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/11/11/whether-or-not-we-accept-it-we-can-vote-loke-tells-melaka-to-use-ballot-box-to-convey-feelings-on-najibs-house-arrest/242786"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Melaka, November 11 — Former federal Cabinet secretary-general Anthony Loke, now an official of the DAP, has advised Melaka voters affected by former Prime Minister Najib Razak's house arrest to express their discontent via the ballot box during the upcoming state election. Speaking at a Pakatan Harapan rally in Ayer Keroh, Loke acknowledged the public's outrage over Najib's decision, while emphasizing the importance of respecting the Federal Constitution's royal prerogative of mercy. \"Although we acknowledge the public's discontent with Najib's house arrest, we must uphold the constitution and the king's prerogative,\" Loke stated. Loke's plea for voting comes after his recent resignation as transport minister, which took effect immediately following the High Court's approval of Najib serving the remainder of his SRC International prison sentence under house arrest. While recognizing the political repercussions for the nation, Loke cautioned against focusing solely on Najib in the state election, stressing that it ultimately determines community representation, regional development, and household welfare. \"The election is not just about Najib; it's also about elected representatives and local development,\" Loke assured his supporters. Loke further assured his continued support for DAP, promising the party's unwavering parliamentary backing for Anwar until the federal administration concludes its full mandate.",
  "summary": "MELAKA, Nov 11 — Fresh from resigning from the federal Cabinet, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke has urged voter...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Najib’s house arrest row may spur voters to cast their ballots, say analysts",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/10/najibs-house-arrest-row-may-spur-voters-to-cast-their-ballots-say",
        "published": "2026-11-10T23:30:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "title": "Rosmah thankful as Najib returns home under house arrest",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/11/rosmah-thankful-as-najib-returns-home-under-house-arrest",
        "published": "2026-11-11T00:13:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}