Transport Minister Anthony Loke has reiterated that he will resign from Cabinet the moment former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak arrives at his residence to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest.
Loke reaffirmed his position on Friday (Nov 6), saying his resignation would take effect immediately once Najib begins serving his sentence at home, regardless of when the transfer takes place.
Loke said his resignation would take effect immediately on the day Najib arrives at his residence, whether that happens the same night or on a subsequent day.
The DAP secretary-general said he had already submitted his resignation letter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Sept 28 and would send a follow-up letter following the latest developments.
Loke first announced his intention to step down on Sept 19, following the announcement that Najib had received a conditional royal pardon allowing him to serve the remainder of his reduced six-year prison sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028.
He said the decision reflected DAP's position against allowing Najib to serve his sentence at home, although the party respected the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's constitutional authority and prerogative to grant pardons.
Loke also argued that allowing a former prime minister convicted in a major corruption scandal to serve his sentence under house arrest could send an inappropriate message to future generations.
His renewed statement came after Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki confirmed that the party had settled Najib's RM50 million fine, fulfilling one of the conditions attached to the conditional pardon.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court subsequently issued an order allowing Najib to serve the remainder of his SRC International sentence under house arrest.
However, the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) later called for the implementation to be temporarily deferred pending further scrutiny and clarification of legal questions surrounding the conditional pardon and the effect of the court order.
The AGC said the legal questions included whether payment of the RM50 million fine fulfilled only the financial component of Najib's sentence or triggered the completion of his entire SRC International sentence, including the remaining prison term.
The distinction also has implications for Najib's separate 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) case, in which he was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment and fined RM11.4 billion after being convicted on 25 charges. He has appealed the conviction.
Najib, who left Kajang Prison on Friday for a scheduled dental examination, was subsequently required to remain at his existing place of detention following the AGC's intervention.
Loke said he had been informed by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail that Najib had not yet been permitted to return home.
Meanwhile, Loke assured that the Transport Ministry's policies, projects and planned initiatives would continue without disruption despite his impending departure, with ministry officials prepared to ensure a smooth transition.