'I'll resign as soon as he steps foot at home': M'sian transport minister Anthony Loke confirms he'll quit as Najib goes on house arrest

Malaysian transport minister Anthony Loke has told Malaysian media that he will keep to his word and quit as soon as former Prime Minister Najib Razak steps foot at home to begin his house arrest.

This comes after news that the RM50 million (S$15.6 million) fine, part of the conditional pardon granted to Najib, has been paid.

According to Oriental Daily, Loke told reporters on Friday (Nov. 6): "The moment Datuk Seri Najib sets foot in his home, that's when I will resign. If it's tonight, I will resign tonight. If it's tomorrow, I will resign tomorrow."

At 5:25pm, China Press reported that Najib was undergoing a dental examination at a hospital in Kuala Lumpur.

Loke's protest

Loke had tendered his resignation in protest of the conditional pardon granted to Najib on Sep. 18 by Malaysian King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar.

The conditional pardon allows Najib to serve out the remainder of his jail term under house arrest after paying a RM50 million (S$15.6 million) fine.

Najib was jailed for corruption and money laundering relating to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.

His jail term ends on Aug. 23, 2028.

According to the South China Morning Post, Loke said that he, along with the DAP and "many others", could not abide by the decision of the conditional pardon.

Loke then tendered his resignation with Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who asked him to continue with his duties for the time being.

This prompted mockery from Najib, who commented in a Sep. 28 Facebook post: "Apparently, the principle has now shifted to conditional resignation."

On Friday, Najib's party, United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), said that they had raised enough funds and paid off the RM50 million (S$15.6 million) fine.

The party previously sought donations for the "Najib Razak Solidarity Fund".