Loke’s exit could deepen PH rift, says political commentator

KUCHING: Political pundit Datuk Peter Minos says Anthony Loke’s resignation offer could deepen political uncertainty within the unity government and put further pressure on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Minos said the decision by DAP secretary-general Loke to offer his resignation as Transport Minister following former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s conditional pardon and approval to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest could create a negative political impression if accepted by Anwar.

“If accepted, Loke’s resignation will not give a good impression to Anwar, Pakatan Harapan (PH) and the government.”

He said the move could lead the public to perceive that the federal government and Anwar were facing internal problems, particularly because Loke was not only a senior Cabinet member but also the leader of a major PH component.

Minos said there was also a possibility that Loke’s departure could trigger further resignations involving DAP ministers, deputy ministers or other party officials.

“Or worse, the whole lot of DAP, in sympathy to and for Loke or in support of DAP’s stand in opposing Najib’s conditional pardon.”

He added that such a development could potentially contribute to an earlier general election, although Loke has said other DAP ministers would remain in the unity government to preserve political stability.

Loke announced his resignation offer on Sept 19 after a three-hour meeting of DAP’s Central Executive Committee, saying the decision was the party’s response to the Najib issue. He was expected to submit his resignation letter to Anwar on Sept 21.

Minos said that while the resignation had not yet been formally accepted, the announcement itself was enough to generate rumours and speculation surrounding the stability of the administration.

“Unsettling news, producing all kinds of rumours and speculations — all adverse to Anwar.”

He questioned the underlying political message behind Loke’s decision, asking whether it was intended primarily to demonstrate DAP’s opposition to the conditional pardon, express dissatisfaction with Anwar or reflect wider unhappiness within the party over its position in the unity government.

Minos also described the move as unusual for a senior coalition partner, arguing that DAP could have first discussed the matter directly with Anwar before announcing the resignation offer.

“Definitely Anwar is not happy with Loke and DAP over this latest episode.”

However, Loke has stressed that his resignation would involve only his Cabinet position, while other DAP ministers and deputy ministers would continue serving in the government.

Minos further criticised what he described as DAP’s increasingly uncertain political direction, pointing to the party’s recent electoral setbacks and subsequent tensions within PH.

He argued that if DAP was genuinely dissatisfied with the unity government, Anwar or its position over Najib’s conditional pardon, the party should make its position clear rather than maintain what he described as an “in-between” stance.

“If I’m a DAP member, I would say: just get out of PH and be done with it and let the people decide in a general election as soon as possible.”