Politics · Malaysia Bureau
Transport Minister Loke Steps Down Following Najib House Arrest Ruling
Transport Minister Anthony Loke has resigned from his cabinet position following a High Court decision permitting former Prime Minister Najib Razak to serve the remainder of his SRC International sentence under house arrest.
LSN Malaysia ·
Loke announced his resignation on Tuesday, citing the judicial ruling as the catalyst for his decision to step down from the Transport Ministry. The High Court's order, which allows Najib to complete his prison term at his residence, prompted the minister to reconsider his position within the current administration.
The former premier was convicted in 2020 in connection with the misappropriation of SRC International funds, a subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). Najib had been serving his sentence at Sungai Buloh Prison prior to the court's decision to grant him house arrest privileges.
Loke's resignation marks a significant development in Malaysian politics, reflecting broader tensions within the government following recent high-profile judicial decisions. The Transport Ministry will require a successor to be appointed to fill the vacancy left by his departure.
The resignation comes at a time of heightened scrutiny regarding Malaysia's criminal justice system and decisions concerning high-profile figures. Observers note that the political ramifications of these events continue to reverberate through the cabinet and wider political landscape.