Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook’s resignation will take effect once former prime minister Najib Razak enters his home to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest.
At a press conference today, Loke said he understood that Najib’s RM50 million fine in the SRC International case had been settled.
“However, I was told by the home minister that Najib has yet to be allowed to return home.
“Despite some media reports that Najib had left Kajang Prison, the home minister said he was sent to a dentist for a scheduled appointment. This means he has yet to be sent home,” he said.
Loke’s resignation pledge
Loke, who was appointed transport minister in 2022, tendered his resignation in September after Najib was granted a conditional pardon.
However, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged him to continue carrying out his duties until Najib was released.
Najib’s conditional pardon
Earlier today, Umno announced that it had settled Najib’s RM50 million fine through a crowdfunding initiative.
The payment was one of the conditions attached to the conditional pardon granted by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim.
Najib was jailed in August 2022 after the Federal Court upheld his conviction for abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving RM42 million in SRC International funds.
He was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment and fined RM210 million.
In January 2024, then Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah halved his prison sentence and reduced his fine to RM50 million as part of a royal pardon.
Two months ago, Sultan Ibrahim granted Najib a further conditional pardon, allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028.
The arrangement was subject to Najib paying the fine and complying with all other stipulated conditions.
