Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he will discuss Anthony Loke Siew Fook’s resignation as Transport Minister after receiving the resignation letter from the DAP secretary-general yesterday.
Anwar said there were no issues with Loke’s performance, describing his work and performance as Transport Minister as “very good”.
“Anthony Loke only submitted his resignation letter yesterday. Yesterday, I rushed to the funeral of Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali,” Anwar told reporters after launching Malaysia Professional Day on Tuesday.
“What is the problem with his work? His work is good, his performance as a minister is very good. That is why I will discuss it with him,” he said.
Anwar also questioned why Loke’s resignation had become a major media focus while issues involving alleged corruption, misappropriation and the misuse of public funds also required attention.
He questioned why calls for resignation were being directed at someone who, in his words, had not been involved in such wrongdoing.
“I really want to ask, what are we trying to do with this country? We put aside the issue of corruption and discuss Loke’s resignation instead,” he said.
Loke confirmed on Monday that he had personally submitted his resignation letter to Anwar. However, he said he would continue serving as Transport Minister for the time being, with the resignation taking effect once former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak leaves prison to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.
Loke said the resignation was a DAP decision linked to the party’s position on Najib’s house arrest, which it does not agree with. No successor has been appointed to the Transport Minister post at this stage.
