Anthony Loke, the secretary-general of the Democratic Action Party (DAP), announced his resignation as Malaysia’s Minister of Transport on the day following the government’s announcement regarding former Prime Minister Najib Razak. The Pardons Board recently granted a conditional pardon to Najib, which permits him to transition from prison to house arrest for the remainder of his sentence related to the 1MDB corruption scandal.

In his public statement, Loke clarified that the resignation was a personal decision regarding his ministerial role and did not necessarily reflect a broader collapse of the DAP’s participation in the current administration. Loke emphasized that the DAP maintains respect for the king’s constitutional power to grant pardons; however, the party had previously established a firm position regarding the legal proceedings against Najib. By stepping down, Loke is distancing himself from the policy decision that allows the former prime minister to serve his time outside of a formal prison facility.

This move highlights ongoing tensions within Malaysia’s coalition government, which includes parties that have historically opposed Najib’s political faction. While Loke’s resignation is a significant political development, the full impact on the stability of the ruling coalition remains to be seen. The decision to grant Najib house arrest has sparked debate across the country, with some viewing it as a necessary political compromise and others criticizing it as a failure of the judicial process. Loke’s departure serves as a visible protest against the outcome of the Pardons Board’s deliberations.