HOUSING and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said he remained committed to serving the people despite continued scrutiny over his earlier pledge to resign following Barisan Nasional's (BN) sweeping victory in the 16th Johor State Election.
Leading the Ministry of Housing and Local Government's (KPKT) Sentuhan Kasih outreach programme in Negeri Sembilan on Monday, Nga said his priority was to continue implementing initiatives aimed at improving the people's well-being.
"I led the KPKT delegation on the Sentuhan Kasih KPKT tour in Negeri Sembilan.
"Despite a packed schedule comprising nine programmes focused on the well-being of the people, my colleagues and I remain committed to carrying out the responsibilities entrusted to us," he said in a post on X.
The DAP deputy chairman acknowledged that political life inevitably brings challenges but stressed that public service remained his foremost priority.
"Ups and downs are part and parcel of public life. What matters is that my colleagues and I remain committed to working hard for the people and the nation," he said.
Nga's remarks came after he declined to directly answer repeated questions from reporters on Sunday over his previously reported pledge to resign if BN secured a landslide victory in the Johor election and former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was released.
BN went on to secure 48 of Johor's 56 state assembly seats, retaining the state government with an overwhelming majority, prompting renewed public attention over whether Nga would honour the reported pledge.
In a new development, Nga reaffirmed his controversial resigne, saying he remains prepared to step down from the Cabinet if former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is released without a punishment he considers proportionate to his conviction, insisting the matter is about protecting the integrity of Malaysia’s judicial system.
In a statement on Sunday, he said his position was based on principle rather than personal interest as he responded to calls for him to resign following Barisan Nasional’s (BN) sweeping victory in the 16th Johor State Election.
He also congratulated BN on its landslide win, which saw the coalition secure 48 of the 56 state assembly seats contested, saying the democratic process must be respected.
"I would like to congratulate Barisan Nasional on its victory in the Johor State Election yesterday. The democratic process must be respected by all parties.
"Indeed, this two-thirds majority victory represents a great trust and a heavy responsibility that BN must carry out with full integrity," he said.
Nga thanked voters who supported Pakatan Harapan (PH), as well as party workers and volunteers who contributed throughout the election campaign.
"Although we did not win this time, tomorrow is still another day.
"Pakatan Harapan remains committed and concerned about continuing to work hard and serve the people and the country," he said.
Addressing pressure for him to honour his resignation pledge, Nga said his earlier remarks reflected his longstanding position as a lawyer that the credibility of the judiciary must be protected.
"What I stated during an interview with a Chines daily today represents my position as an advocate and solicitor of the High Court of Malaya, which has remained consistent all this while — that the integrity of the country’s judicial system must be defended," he said.
Nga said the release of Najib, who was convicted in the SRC International case linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal, without a punishment proportionate to the offence would undermine public confidence in the rule of law.
"If Datuk Seri Najib, who has caused Malaysians to bear the burden of RM51.4 billion in 1MDB debt, can be released without undergoing a punishment commensurate with the offence despite having been found guilty, it would mean the integrity of our judicial system has been compromised.
"It would also mean that the principle of the rule of law as enshrined in the Rukun Negara is no longer being respected," he said, as he maintained that his stance was not driven by personal considerations but by his commitment to uphold judicial integrity.
"This matter has nothing to do with personal issues. Instead, it is a matter of fundamental principle. I remain firmly committed to this principle," he added - July 12, 2026
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