Loke maintains decision to resign despite Anwar's call for talks

 

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke is standing by his decision to resign as transport minister despite Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's call for further discussions on the matter. - NSTP/ASYRAF HAMZAH

MELAKA: DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke is standing by his decision to resign as transport minister despite Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's call for further discussions on the matter.

However, Loke gave his assurance that neither he nor his party was withdrawing support for Anwar's leadership.

Loke said his resignation was intended to reaffirm DAP's position against former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak being allowed to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest.

He stressed that all 40 DAP members of Parliament remained firmly behind Anwar despite his decision to leave the cabinet.

"I have submitted my resignation letter as a cabinet member to express my party's stand on Najib's house arrest.

"I resigned as a minister, but I am not withdrawing my support for Anwar.

"DAP and I remain committed to supporting Anwar as prime minister. This is something I want to make absolutely clear," he said at Pakatan Harapan's grand finale rally here tonight.

Loke was speaking shortly after Anwar told the gathering that he had yet to receive the DAP leader's resignation letter and wanted further discussions with him on the matter.

It was previously reported that Loke had announced his immediate resignation following Tuesday's High Court decision allowing Najib to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest.

It was reported recently that Loke had announced his immediate resignation following Tuesday's High Court decision allowing Najib to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest.

He said his decision was in line with a pledge he had made nearly seven weeks earlier to resign immediately if Najib was granted house arrest.

"I had already announced almost seven weeks ago that if Najib returned home, I would not wait even a minute. My resignation would take effect immediately.

"When I say I will do something, I will do it," he said.

He also rejected allegations by Barisan Nasional deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan that his resignation amounted to disrespect towards the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Loke said his decision was directed at Najib and should not be misconstrued as a challenge to the constitutional monarchy.

"This is not about disrespecting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. We respect the powers of the King.

"This is our stand against Najib. It is about Najib, not the King," he said. - NST