Malaysia Transport Minister Anthony Loke to Resign Over Najib House Arrest
Minister confirms departure plans as former PM Najib Razak prepares for house arrest transition.
1Minister Confirms Resignation Plans
Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced on November 6, 2026, that he will resign from his cabinet position. His departure is tied to the transition of former Prime Minister Najib Razak from prison to house arrest. Loke stated he will submit a formal resignation letter to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim immediately upon that transition.
2Protest Against Conditional Pardon
Loke first signaled his intent to resign in September to protest the conditional royal pardon granted to Najib Razak. As the chief of the Democratic Action Party, Loke maintains that the party disagrees with the pardon. He argues that granting house arrest sends an improper message regarding accountability for past economic scandals.
3Legal Hurdles for House Arrest
The Attorney-General’s Chambers recently requested a temporary suspension of Najib’s house arrest, citing complex legal questions regarding the interpretation of the pardon. Despite these legal uncertainties, Loke remains firm in his decision to step down. He emphasized that his stance is a clear reflection of his party’s principled political position.
4Fine Payment Clears Path
Najib’s party, the United Malays National Organisation, confirmed payment of the RM50 million fine required by the pardon conditions. This payment was a critical step for Najib to serve the remainder of his six-year sentence under house arrest. His term is currently scheduled to conclude on August 23, 2028.
5Administrative Handover and Continuity
Loke has already begun meeting with ministry officials to facilitate a smooth transition of responsibilities. He expressed appreciation to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for the mandate held over the past 47 months. Loke noted that his attendance at a upcoming Deepavali event may serve as his final public appearance as minister.
6Infrastructure Projects Remain Unaffected
Despite the impending cabinet change, Loke confirmed that major transport initiatives will continue as planned. Projects such as the East Coast Rail Link and the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link remain on schedule. Loke pledged to assist the ministry in his capacity as a Member of Parliament after his resignation.
7Constitutional Context of Pardons
While opposing the specific decision, Loke reiterated that the Democratic Action Party respects the King’s constitutional powers. The federal constitution grants the monarch authority over the pardons board. Loke’s resignation serves as a political statement rather than a challenge to the legal validity of the royal prerogative exercised in this case.
8Political Impact and Future Outlook
The resignation highlights ongoing tensions within the governing Pakatan Harapan coalition regarding justice and governance standards. By stepping down, Loke maintains his party's integrity while attempting to minimize disruption to critical national infrastructure projects. Observers are now watching how the government manages the transition and the legal status of Najib.