Transport Minister Loke to step down following Najib's conditional pardon

Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook will resign from his Cabinet position in the wake of the conditional pardon issued to Najib Razak, marking a significant political development in Malaysia's ongoing power dynamics.

The announcement follows three hours of deliberations by the Democratic Action Party's Central Executive Committee, signalling the party's internal struggle over the government's decision regarding the former Prime Minister's sentence.

While Loke has chosen to step down from his ministerial role, the DAP has decided to remain within the governing coalition, indicating the party's preference to continue participating in government despite reservations over the pardon decision.

Loke's resignation reflects deeper divisions within Malaysia's political establishment over the handling of high-profile corruption cases and the conditions surrounding executive clemency. His departure underscores the tensions between coalition partners on matters of judicial and administrative principle.

The move comes at a critical juncture for the current administration, with questions remaining about the stability of the ruling coalition and how other component parties will respond to similar controversies.