PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants to reopen discussions with Transport Minister Anthony Loke over his decision to resign, saying he has yet to accept the DAP secretary-general's resignation.
Anwar said Loke could take a short break if necessary, but stepping down from the Cabinet required further discussions.
“I have not accepted Anthony Loke's resignation. Taking a short break is fine, but if he wants to resign, we need to discuss it again,” he said at Pakatan Harapan's (PH) grand finale ceramah in Alor Gajah Melaka.
Loke had announced his immediate resignation following the High Court's decision on Tuesday allowing former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest.
Defending Loke, Anwar said there was no reason for a minister who was honest, trustworthy and committed to public service to leave the Cabinet.
He praised Loke's contributions to improving public transport services and making daily journeys easier for Malaysians, including taxi drivers.
“When I praise him, some people from PAS and UMNO question why Anwar is praising DAP or a Chinese person. But when we appoint a minister, what matters is whether that minister is trustworthy, clean and hardworking.
“He has contributed many ideas, projects and programmes to make people's journeys easier, including those of taxi drivers. Yet people like him are being asked to resign, while those with problems are being told to stay. The world has turned upside down,” he said.
Anwar described Loke as a close friend and one of the Cabinet members who had consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic.
He said Loke had also earned the respect of civil servants, including Malay officers serving at the Transport Ministry.
The Prime Minister criticised attempts to assess political leaders according to their ethnicity or party affiliation rather than their integrity, competence and performance.
Separately, Anwar said Malaysia's fundamental political challenge was not cooperation with DAP, but ensuring that Malay leaders with principles and integrity were chosen to lead the country.
He said leadership should be assessed based on character, honesty and the ability to discharge public responsibilities, rather than ethnicity alone.
“Our problem is not about the Chinese and Malays. The problem is ensuring that Malay leaders have principles.
“Surely there are such leaders. There are many in Melaka, including young people. Choose those who are good, clean and have values. Do not let people who gain a little power immediately start thinking about stealing,” he said.
Speaking at the Pesta Melaka Rumah Kita programme at Taman Melaka Perdana today, Anwar said cooperation among different communities was essential for national stability but should not come at the expense of political principles or the interests of the Malay community.
He urged voters to evaluate leaders based on their track records and credibility instead of being swayed by racial sentiments exploited for political gain.
“How should we choose Malay leaders? Because they are Malay? Or because they have good character, principles, do not steal, do not abuse their positions and are not arrogant?” he said.
Anwar also urged voters to give younger leaders with integrity and ability the opportunity to shape the state's future.
Also present were PH secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, PKR Wanita chief Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek and Amanah vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. - November 13, 2026
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