Anthony Loke remains set to resign from Cabinet, Malaysia’s transport projects unaffected

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Loke plans to resign; projects remain on track

Highlights

Anthony Loke remains determined to resign from the Cabinet after Najib begins house arrest, subject to Najib paying the RM50 million fine and resolving technical matters.
Loke stressed that his departure would not affect the nearly completed Rapid Transit System (RTS) and East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), worth RM75 billion, which are due to begin operations in the coming months.
The DAP, led by Loke, remains a key supporter of Anwar’s government through December 2027 despite opposing the decision to grant Najib a pardon; Najib is now serving a prison sentence and appealing the 1MDB case.

This article was translated from the original. Read the original version by our correspondent here.

Resignation plans and project continuity

As reported by The Edge Malaysia, citing Nikkei Asia, Loke is standing by his decision to step down as soon as Najib’s house arrest begins. However, the start of the measure depends on how quickly the former prime minister can raise RM50 million to pay the court-imposed fine and settle other “technical matters.” In the interview, Loke said his departure would not affect projects under his ministry.

He was quoted as saying that the projects were already locked in and had adequate safeguards. He added that the Rapid Transit System (RTS) and East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) projects are both nearing completion and are due to begin operations in the coming months, so they would not be affected by any change in leadership at the ministry.

Loke submitted his resignation on 28 Sept in protest against the Pardons Board’s decision allowing Najib, who has twice been convicted in major corruption cases, to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.

Implications for the government and transport sector

The Ministry of Transport oversees projects including the ECRL, worth approximately RM75 billion, and the RTS, a vital link between Johor Bahru and Singapore. Assurances of continuity are important for the delivery of cross-border infrastructure and the country’s logistics network in the coming months.

Politically, the DAP, led by Loke as secretary-general, remains among Najib’s most outspoken critics. Najib has been imprisoned since August 2022. The party holds the largest number of federal seats in Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s administration and has pledged to support the current government until the end of the parliamentary term in December 2027.

Najib was originally sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined RM210 million in a case involving the theft of RM42 million belonging to SRC International Sdn Bhd. His sentence was later reduced in 2024 by the former Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah. In a separate case involving 1Malaysia Development Bhd, he was also found guilty and sentenced to 15 years in prison, to be served after his SRC sentence. The 1MDB case is now under appeal, and he also continues to face several civil cases.

In our earlier coverage of the platform launch by Menara Asia’s Menarabena, we examined efforts to digitise the construction sector and address challenges involving costs, material specifications and project completion schedules. The article highlighted how the B2B platform connects contractors with suppliers while centralising certification, documentation and compliance information—helping maintain quality and streamline project supply chains.

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