DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke has challenged Barisan Nasional (BN) Members of Parliament to resign from the Cabinet if they disagree with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's leadership, instead of continuing to criticise the unity government while remaining in power.
In his first public appearance since resigning as Transport Minister, Loke said those dissatisfied with the government's leadership should uphold the principle of collective responsibility by relinquishing their Cabinet positions.
"If you are not happy, then leave. If you disagree with the Prime Minister, resign. I have done so. What about you, my friend?" he said during a ceramah in Melaka last night.
"Every day, you voice your disagreement, while your party attacks the Prime Minister day and night, claiming that one thing or another is wrong. Yet, you remain in the government.
"Every Wednesday and Friday, you attend Cabinet meetings chaired by Anwar Ibrahim. What is this all about?" he added.
Loke also questioned why parties dissatisfied with government policies and funding allocations continued to remain in the administration instead of withdrawing their support.
"There are parties that are dissatisfied and criticise the government every day, questioning why certain ministries are not receiving allocations and raising other issues. Why are they still in the government? Why have they not left?" he said.
The Seremban MP also urged Melaka voters to use their ballots in the state election to send a clear message to those pressuring Anwar to dissolve Parliament and pave the way for a general election.
He said the mandate to lead the government remained with Anwar despite calls from certain quarters for Parliament to be dissolved.
"Although certain quarters are putting pressure on the Prime Minister to dissolve Parliament, we want to remind them that the mandate remains in Anwar's hands.
"If you are unhappy, you can leave.
"Even though I have resigned as a minister, I have pledged that all DAP MPs will continue to support Anwar. He will remain as Prime Minister," he said.
Although Loke did not name anyone, his remarks appeared to be directed at BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Zahid was previously reported as saying that dissolving Parliament and returning the mandate to the people would be preferable to a Cabinet reshuffle, although he saw no need for such a reshuffle at present.
Loke had earlier announced his immediate resignation as Transport Minister following the Kuala Lumpur High Court's decision allowing former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest.
He said his decision was consistent with the principled position he had previously declared. - November 11, 2026
