The prime minister says Loke Siew Fook’s performance as transport minister has been ‘very good’.
Anwar, who said he received the letter while he was rushing to attend Dr Hasmah Ali’s funeral, questioned why Loke should be pressured to step down.
“Why are they asking him to resign? Those who do not embezzle are being asked to resign.
“His work is good and his performance as a minister is very good. I will discuss (Loke’s resignation) with him,” he told reporters today at the launch of the inaugural Malaysia Professional Day at the KLGCC Convention Centre here.
Earlier today, Loke said his resignation as transport minister would take effect when former prime minister Najib Razak is released from prison to serve the remainder of his jail term under house arrest.
Loke said he met Anwar yesterday to discuss the matter and reiterated his stance about resigning should Najib be allowed out of prison.
Loke said Anwar had advised him to continue carrying out his duties temporarily while the prime minister considered his resignation, but he had insisted on a timeframe.
DAP’s central executive committee decided that Loke would resign as a minister over the conditional pardon granted to Najib. The party will remain in the government and its other ministers will stay in the Cabinet.
‘Unfair’ to condemn Malaysia over refugee repatriation
Earlier today, Malaysia launched the first phase of a repatriation programme involving 1,476 Myanmar detainees, who are being sent home aboard three Myanmar naval vessels, including a hospital ship.
Anwar said Malaysia should not be criticised over the initiative, stressing that Malaysia could not be expected to accommodate hundreds of thousands of refugees indefinitely without engaging Myanmar authorities on a solution.
He said Malaysia would continue engaging Myanmar as the crisis in the country has persisted for decades without a resolution, while the number of refugees continues to increase.
“Our position is to protect their welfare and address their human rights concerns. But to simply condemn us for taking this initiative, I don’t think it’s fair. We are trying to find an amicable resolution to this issue,” he said.
“Even when they agree to take back some of the refugees, of course, we need to make sure that the refugees are protected and that whatever facilities required are provided.” - FMT
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