Former UMNO Supreme Council member Tan Sri Noh Omar has slammed DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke as “rude” over his declaration that he would resign as Transport Minister the moment former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak sets foot in his home.
Noh said Loke’s remarks showed disrespect towards the Pardons Board’s decision and amounted to defying the decree of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim.
He argued that if DAP ministers and deputy ministers truly stood by their principles, they should resign from their Cabinet positions, withdraw their support and leave the Madani Government altogether.
“Anthony should know that DAP also has a representative on the Pardons Board through Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh.
“It is clear that DAP leaders are being rude and trying to play the hero by opposing the implementation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree, to the extent of being willing to resign as a minister in the Madani Government.
“I am deeply grateful to His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for decreeing that Najib’s remaining prison sentence be served under house arrest once the RM50 million fine has been paid,” he said in a statement on Saturday.
On Friday, UMNO announced that its Najib Razak Solidarity Fund, launched on September 18, had reached its target and collected sufficient funds.
The party also confirmed that all payment procedures to the Kuala Lumpur High Court had been completed.
Following the development, Loke held an emergency press conference and reiterated that his resignation as Transport Minister would take effect immediately once Najib stepped into his residence at Langgak Duta.
Loke maintained that his position would not change even after the RM50 million fine imposed on the former Pekan MP had been paid in full at the High Court.
Meanwhile, Sultan Ibrahim had recently decreed that any arguments challenging the Conditional Pardon Order allowing Najib to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest could amount to disobeying His Majesty’s command.
The King said there should be no confusion over the interpretation of the order, describing the decision as clear and unambiguous.
The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) subsequently clarified that it had never questioned, set aside or intended to suspend the Conditional Pardon Order granted to Najib.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law, respecting the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and recognising His Majesty’s constitutional prerogative of pardon under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution.
