Anthony Loke Says He Will Quit When Najib Razak Begins House Arrest

Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke says his resignation will take effect as soon as former prime minister Najib Razak arrives home to begin serving the remainder of his sentence under house arrest. Loke told reporters he intends to keep the promise, regardless of when that moment comes: “If it’s tonight, I will resign tonight. If it’s tomorrow, I will resign tomorrow,” he said, according to Oriental Daily. The reported trigger for the latest statement was news that Najib’s RM50 million fine, part of the conditions attached to his pardon, had been paid. United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), Najib’s party, said on Friday it had collected enough money and settled the fine. The party had previously appealed for donations through a fund established in support of Najib. Loke had submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in protest at the conditional pardon, granted by Malaysia’s king, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, on Sept. 18. The arrangement allows Najib to serve the rest of his prison term under house arrest after the fine is paid. Anwar asked Loke to carry on with his duties for the time being. According to the report, Loke said he and the Democratic Action Party, along with others, could not accept the decision to grant the conditional pardon. Najib had earlier mocked Loke’s position in a Facebook post, suggesting that the minister’s principle had turned into a “conditional resignation.” Najib was jailed in connection with corruption and money-laundering offences linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal. As the fine has now been paid, attention has shifted to when he will leave for home. Loke’s latest remarks leave little ambiguity about the political consequence he says will follow: his departure from the cabinet once Najib sets foot there.