Malaysia Transport Minister Anthony Loke Resigns Immediately Following Court Ruling on Najib’s House Arrest
KUALA LUMPUR — Democratic Action Party secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook resigned as Malaysia’s Minister of Transport on Tuesday, stepping down from the federal cabinet with immediate effect following a Kuala Lumpur High Court ruling allowing former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest.
The announcement on November 10, 2026, concluded weeks of speculation surrounding Loke’s cabinet role, which had been tied directly to the judicial handling of the former prime minister’s detention status.
In an official statement released on Tuesday, Loke confirmed his immediate departure from the executive branch. “Following today’s Kuala Lumpur High Court decision allowing Najib to serve his sentence under house arrest, and in line with the position I announced last Friday, my resignation as transport minister takes effect immediately,” Loke stated.
He affirmed that the move was consistent with his established stance on the issue, adding: “This decision upholds the principles and stance that I have previously explained.”
The ruling delivered on Tuesday morning by the Kuala Lumpur High Court formally granted Najib the legal basis to serve out the remainder of his custodial term at home rather than inside a correctional facility. The decision marked the completion of the judicial process regarding the execution of the order, prompting Loke to execute his long-stated plan to step down.
Loke had initially signaled his intention to leave the federal cabinet two months prior, in September 2026. That initial decision came in direct protest against the conditional royal pardon that had been granted to Najib Razak. Following that initial announcement, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stepped in and requested that Loke remain in his ministerial post temporarily. Loke agreed to the prime minister’s request to continue running the Ministry of Transport until the legal procedures governing Najib’s proposed house arrest formally took effect.
With the High Court’s determination finalized on Tuesday, Loke followed through on the conditions he had outlined the preceding week, tendering his resignation without delay.
Despite his departure over the ruling, Loke extended his formal gratitude to Prime Minister Anwar for entrusting him with the transport portfolio and allowing him to serve as a key member of the cabinet. Loke had led the Ministry of Transport since December 2022, taking the helm when Anwar formed his administration in the wake of the 15th general election.
Loke also used his exit statement to thank the administrative personnel of the ministry he led for nearly four years. He expressed sincere gratitude to the senior management and general staff members of the Ministry of Transport, commending their cooperation, professionalism, and dedication throughout his tenure as minister.
To prevent disruption in national logistics, infrastructure, and ongoing public transit initiatives, Loke committed to providing full cooperation to ensure an orderly transition of duties to his eventual successor. He emphasized that the responsibilities of the Ministry of Transport and its current public-facing projects must continue without interruption during the administrative handover.
Loke’s resignation highlights the intricate political dynamics within Malaysia’s coalition government. As the leader of the Democratic Action Party, Loke’s exit reflects a firm adherence to his party’s policy boundaries regarding Najib’s pardon and detention terms, bringing an end to his leadership of the transport portfolio that began in late 2022.