Aliran has released a statement on the latest developments:
The news has made headlines both at home and abroad, and for good reason. For many, this decision has crossed a red line.
The political significance of the Pardons Board’s decision can hardly escape the attention of various groups of people.
Ordinary people’s concerns should have a place in a democratic country like ours, particularly for those who value the rule of law and justice. The government must respond to these concerns.
Aliran believes the government’s professed fight against corruption will now be viewed with cynicism. It may give international observers the impression that the country has lost its moral compass.
It raises the question of whether this could lead to double standards and injustice in how our justice system is administered – one pathway for the rich and powerful, another for the vulnerable.
It appears the rich and powerful will now be able to sidestep judicial outcomes and make a mockery of justice, under the guise of ‘compassion’.
Perhaps the Attorney General’s Chambers can enlighten us on what will happen in Najib’s other pending cases if the decisions go against him?
We note he still owes RM1.7bn in unpaid taxes, not to mention the billions already lost from public funds due to his crimes.
The Attorney General’s Chambers should also clarify the legal basis for house arrest, as Najib’s case has set a precedent. How will it be enforced and what conditions apply? These need to be spelt out, if only to give them some semblance of credibility.
After all, being confined to a luxury home, in this day and age, still means enjoying most home comforts and access to the outside world through communications technology.
What about other high-profile politicians convicted of, or serving time for, serious corruption?
What about those imprisoned for petty theft and other crimes? Would they too be eligible to apply for house arrest on compassionate grounds?
The country is already polarised by the politics of race and religion. This decision could deepen those divisions in a society often reminded of the virtue of being ethical.
All this is happening while the country faces a host of problems, such as ethnic polarisation and the high cost of living.
A government that promised reform and an end to corruption now owes the people answers, not silence.
If arrangements like this can be made in this case, people will rightly ask if this can happen again and on what basis. The government cannot wash its hands of an issue with such serious implications and consequences.
Aliran executive committee
19 September 2026
| Please help to support this blog if you can. Read the commenting guidlelines for this blog. |
This cartoon reflects the situation – justice favours the powerful despite a more serious crime:
If the convict is allowed serve the rest of his jail term under a so-called “house arrest” provision that does not even exist in law, it will demonstrate to the world that our leaders are ready to bend and tweak the law to help the rich and powerful in our country.
PN was formed with two core parties, PAS and Bersatu. Also Bersatu was leading it in the general elections until only recently. Now that Bersatu was ‘kicked out, the coalition PN should consider itself dissolved.
Lim Guan Eng pointed out that under Anthony Loke as Transport Minister, a total of RM21 billion worth of infrastructure projects had since been awarded to Penang.
These projects include the RM 16.8 billion Mutiara Light Rail Transit (LRT), expansion projects comprising RM 1.55 billion for the Penang International Airport, RM 30 million for KTM stations, RM 2.2 billion for Penang Port and RM 500 million for Swettenham Pier.
I thought Tony already resigned?
He is no longer important. Maybe looking for Worthy successor?
At least he has done good for Penang while he is in the ministry.
Anthony Loke has gone for silent meditation leaving behind a confused Rakyat.
His coalition leader has mentioned that he has not received any resignation letter from Loke – yet.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said his resignation will come into effect once former prime minister Najib Razak returns home to serve his house arrest. If you cannot wait, then you should donate to Bossku release fund.
As usual, Loke has jumped the gun. This is a mess he created himself.
He has tied his resignation to Najib returning home, so let him follow through when that happens.
Why should anyone donate towards Najib’s fine just to bring forward Loke’s departure?
We, the Rakyat, can question his decision without contributing a sen to that fund.
Some just do not understand why Anthony Loke decided to resign. When a corrupt national convict shows no remorse ,and gets a pardon it is not justice being served as punishment for what he did to the people who trusted him to do good. He cheated and lied to the people. He is disappointed as politician in govt that made it happen especially when the PM was all out to punish corrupt politicians with the unity govt. This did not happen.
” Anthony Loke may never get to resign as Transport Minister; he could be in opposition by then”
https://focusmalaysia.my/anthony-loke-may-never-get-to-resign-as-transport-minister-he-could-be-in-opposition-by-then/
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim questioned those celebrating Transport Minister Anthony Loke’s decision to resign, saying that the DAP secretary-general had been performing his duties well.
Anwar said there was no apparent reason for Loke to step down, noting that the minister had only submitted his resignation letter yesterday.
The public and the opposition are mocking DAP and Loke, lah. They are not questioning his work ethic.
The PM certainly does not want to lose a capable minister heading the Ministry of Transport, given the many problems it has to deal with.
Nor would he want a controversy in his own government like the one reflected in this headline:
“Umno leader removed as rail firm’s boss after controversial remarks on LRT accident”
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/umno-leader-sacked-as-malaysias-transport-firm-chair-after-controversial-remarks-on
Transport Minister Anthony Loke today said any political links involving MYEG and Zetrix AI Berhad were irrelevant to the government’s decision to suspend their services, stressing that his ministry’s concern was the RM314 million in outstanding government revenue.
Responding to a question on whether the companies were linked to Umno, Loke said it was not his role to associate them with any political party and that all companies and agents were treated equally.
Totally agree with Transport Minister Anthony Loke that outstanding government revenue must be collected, regardless of who the companies are linked to.
But if MOT is so firm about protecting government revenue, then another question must be asked.
How were MYEG and Zetrix AI allowed to continue collecting public money for about five months while the outstanding amount grew to a massive RM314 million?
According to the minister himself, there were 35 reminders before the services were finally suspended.
Why did it take 35 reminders and RM314 million in arrears before stronger action was taken?
These were not ordinary customers owing the government money.
They were appointed collection agents handling public revenue and were supposed to remit the money to the government.
And since the question of political connections has already been raised publicly, Malaysians are also entitled to ask: are these simply ordinary private companies, or do they have links to political figures?
Political links may be irrelevant to whether the money must be paid, but they are certainly relevant when the public is asking why such a large amount was allowed to accumulate before decisive action was taken.
The RM314 million belongs to the government and ultimately to the people.
The real issue now is not only whether the money will be recovered, but also how the monitoring system allowed the arrears to reach this level in the first place.
After the DAP CEC meeting, the party issued a statement saying that Anthony Loke would resign as transport minister, apparently as a form of protest. Loke himself was present at that meeting.
Check out Hannah Yeoh’s public statement on this issue at the 21st September press conference. There was no mention of his resignation being conditional.
And on 29 September 2026, Loke told reporters at Malaysia Maritime Week that his resignation would take effect, ” The timeframe is the day Najib returns home, my resignation takes effect.” meaning that his resignation was conditional and tied it to the second conditional pardon for Najib.
This was not how it was presented at the beginning.
So much putar belit over Loke’s resignation drama.
FMM said many larger companies already pay above the statutory minimum wage, while smaller manufacturers and labour-intensive businesses generally have less room to absorb a sudden increase in payroll costs.
The manufacturing association said a steep and uniform adjustment could also affect wages above the minimum level, as employers may need to adjust the pay of experienced operators, technicians and supervisors to maintain differences based on skills, experience and responsibilities.
” LCS ‘better than nothing’ despite prolonged delays, say experts ” https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/11/lcs-better-than-nothing-despite-prolonged-delays-say-experts ======== When a person is thirsty and is given half a glass of water, then yes, one can say half a glass is better than no water at all. But here we are talking about the defense of our country, our sovereignty and our people. One cannot simply say an outdated or incomplete warship is “better than nothing”. In the hour of need, an enemy will not give us credit for trying. If the ship is not fully combat-ready, it can simply be taken out of the sea.… Read more »
We are talking about more than RM11 billion under the main contract, and by the time the entire project is fully completed – including complementary systems, weapons and other requirements – the total cost could reach RM13 billion to RM14 billion, or even more. This is billions of ringgit in public money – every ringgit belongs to the Rakyat and must be accounted for, not treated like loose change to be wasted without accountability. If corruption is involved, identify those responsible, charge them and, if convicted, sentence them according to the seriousness of the offence. There should be no exceptions. Do not keep talking… Read more »
What we want now is action – thorough investigations, proper trials, clear verdicts and appropriate consequences, not cases left hanging through DNAA. When serious cases end in DNAA, the public is left wondering where the accountability has gone. A DNAA is not an acquittal, yet the accused may remain free while the case hangs unresolved for years. We have already seen high-profile political cases where a DNAA left the matter unresolved for years, with no final judgment on guilt or innocence. In some cases, the politician later returned to public life or continued to hold positions of influence. That is… Read more »
What is happening now gives the impression that, when political leaders are involved, DNAA seems to be dished out like free passes.
In which country is this kind of legal practice considered acceptable?
It does little to build public confidence.
And when unresolved cases involve politically important figures, it creates the perception that such DNAA cases can become political bargaining chips.
For a project involving national defence and billions in public money, Malaysians deserve the full truth and full accountability.
” LCS scandal: fewer ships, more money, less fire power ” https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2026/10/06/lcs-scandal-fewer-ships-more-money-less-fire-power ======== Malaysia’s very own “black hole” – sucking in taxpayers’ money like water. PMX and the Unity Government must now take responsibility for choosing to continue pouring more Rakyat’s money into this mess. Malaysia went from 6 ships for RM9.13 billion to 5 ships for RM11.22 billion. Original: RM9.13b ÷ 6 = RM1.52b per ship Revised: RM11.22b ÷ 5 = RM2.24b per ship That means the average cost has increased by about RM720 million per ship, while Malaysia is receiving one ship fewer. And this is happening under the Unity… Read more »
Around RM8 billion has already been spent, about 15 years have passed, and yet our Malaysian Navy has still not received a single fully operational LCS – not even one. By the time the first LCS is finally delivered, the project itself may already feel old. Meanwhile, our Navy is still sailing with “ancient” ships that are around 40 years old. How did the government allow around RM6 billion to be paid when physical construction was so far behind, hundreds of millions were being used inefficiently or outside the project, and the Navy still had no completed ship? Which country, which nation, which… Read more »
” No political motive behind JPJ’s suspension of MyEG, Zetrix AI, says Loke ”
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/10/05/no-political-motive-behind-jpj039s-suspension-of-myeg-zetrix-ai-says-loke
========
We, the Rakyat, are asking: which political party or parties, if any, do these two companies have ties with?
The public has a right to know because the RM314 million involved is government revenue collected from the Rakyat and should have been remitted to the government.
RM314 million is no small amount.
If there are political connections, they should be disclosed openly. If there are none, that should also be made clear.
https://focusmalaysia.my/zetrix-ais-fall-from-grace-is-nothing-shocking-writing-has-been-on-the-wall-long-before-jpjs-debt/
I am certainly not happy with the reduction in jail sentence, fine and house arrest. It makes a mockery of things allowing a person who was given the trust to manage Malaysia misuse that trust to enrich himself. He cannot in anyway plead innocent or being misled or ignorance for what happened. The buck stops with him. His reduction in prison sentence, reduction in fine and house arrest must not be of his status. He must be treated like an ordinary criminal.
This is a reply to Salvo’s comment dd 3 Oct 2026 12.07pm ” Some just do not understand why Anthony Loke decided to resign……” ======== Why should Anthony Loke be so disappointed? This is certainly not his first rodeo. He has been in politics for more than two decades, beginning with his election as the Lobak assemblyman in 2004. He has also been part of the Unity Government from the beginning, after the hung Parliament following GE15. On 3 December 2022, Loke publicly said that DAP supported Anwar Ibrahim as Prime Minister “without conditions” and was prepared to make whatever… Read more »
DAP has largely stood by that commitment for almost four years. So why, at this particular point, does it need to demonstrate its unhappiness with the latest pardon by having Loke resign from his ministerial position? What exactly does that resignation achieve? Can it reverse the Pardons Board’s decision? Of course not. DAP could simply have stated its position clearly: “We respect and accept the King’s constitutional decision, although politically we would have preferred a different outcome.” After all, the Constitution provides a process through which a convicted person may seek clemency, and the Ruler has the constitutional authority to exercise… Read more »
Yes, Anwar has repeatedly spoken about fighting corruption since taking office. If DAP believed that the government was failing to live up to that commitment, then what did DAP do about it before this? Why resign over this pardon decision, but not over the other controversial decisions and DNAA cases that had already caused considerable public unhappiness? That is why the timing of Loke’s resignation raises more questions than answers. At the end of the day, one cannot help but wonder whether all this drama is really about principle, or simply a way of showing the public that DAP is… Read more »
” Ridhuan Tee’s ‘untimely, unwanted’ comment draws widespread criticism ” https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/127849/ridhuan-tees-untimely-unwanted-comment-draws-widespread-criticism ======== Even among ordinary Rakyat, friends who have become foes may still put aside their differences at a funeral to pay their last respects, seek forgiveness and wish the departed peace. Ridhuan Tee’s remarks show a troubling lack of compassion and respect at a time of grief. A grieving family deserves sensitivity, not suspicion cast on those who come to pay their last respects. This is a funeral, a final farewell to someone whom family and friends will never see or speak to again. It is a time for… Read more »
As a religious preacher, he should understand the importance of compassion and restraint.
He should think before speaking, especially when a family is mourning, rather than assume the worst of those who come to pay their respects.
” PAS must clarify if it can accept Zahid as PM, says Amanah man ” https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/02/pas-must-clarify-if-it-can-accept-zahid-as-pm-says-amanah-man ======== Amanah should look at its own backyard, where these events have already happened, before questioning others about a hypothetical appointment. Amanah seems to have forgotten that the unity government, of which it is a part, appointed Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as deputy prime minister while he was still on trial on 47 charges involving criminal breach of trust, bribery and money laundering. In September 2023, the court granted him a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA). In January 2026, the Attorney-General’s Chambers announced… Read more »
Both developments occurred during the unity government’s administration.
Before questioning whether PAS could accept Zahid as prime minister, Amanah and the PH coalition members should explain its own acceptance of him as deputy prime minister while his trial was ongoing.
Shouldn’t the same standards apply to both sides?
” Focus on Umno pact, PAS spiritual leader says after PN suspended ” https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/02/focus-on-umno-pact-pas-spiritual-leader-says-after-pn-suspended ========================== UMNO and PAS could become a strong political force by working together. Their cooperation in the 2026 Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections has already shown that potential. There are urban Malays who are liberal, and there are those who are conservative. Rural Malays tend to be more conservative. Some unhappy non-Malay voters may also support an UMNO–PAS alliance to show their disappointment with the government. PH parties should not take voters’ support for granted. Anthony Loke’s defeat in Chennah in the August 2026 Negeri… Read more »
DAP should remember its public call for key reforms to be passed by the end of 2026. These include separating the roles of the attorney-general and public prosecutor, and limiting how long a prime minister can stay in office. Law Minister Azalina Othman Said has spoken about both reforms: limiting the prime minister’s time in office and separating the roles of the attorney-general and public prosecutor. She said the term-limit bill is ready for its second reading and that both bills require a two-thirds majority in Parliament. Scandals involving UMNO leaders may put off some voters. But PH should not… Read more »
Bersama, a third force? There are already too many out there. With just “the gang of 4”, Bersama can only target PH/Pkr and split votes. After throwing their “tantrums”, they should just consider rejoining PH again. The nation needs more professional MPs.
If PH cannot convince voters that it is serious about fighting corruption, some may question whether its record is any better than UMNO’s.
UMNO’s scandals may then no longer be enough to discourage voters from supporting UMNO-led BN or a BN–PAS alliance.
We, the Rakyat, remember PH/DAP’s public promises on reforms. PH cannot rely on UMNO’s scandals to retain voters’ support; it must deliver on its own promises.
It is strange that [some] Malays are so hung up about Malay agenda and having a siege mentality. What I cannot understand is them pandering to support Najib despite the insurmountable damage he did and he was found guilty by nine judges at all levels of the court. The the very people who wrecked the Malay institutions like Felda, UiTM are the Malay leaders and not forgetting 1MDB. But the race that got the blame who is made the convenient scapegoat is the Chinese.
Agree that leaders who damage public institutions should be held responsible, no matter their race or political party.
But it is unfair to make this sound like a problem with all Malays. Malays do not all think the same way, just as Chinese do not all think the same way.
If certain Malay leaders mismanaged public money, weakened institutions or continued to support Najib despite his convictions, then name those leaders and hold them accountable.
But blaming “the Malays” for having a siege mentality, while also saying the Chinese are being used as scapegoats, creates the same problem in reverse.
You cannot complain that one race is being unfairly blamed while unfairly blaming another race at the same time.
The real issue is not Malay versus Chinese. It is poor leadership, blind political loyalty and weak accountability.
If we want to stop racial blaming, then we should stop judging an entire community by the actions of some politicians.
” DAP leaders gather for emergency CEC meeting over Najib’s conditional pardon ”
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/09/19/dap-leaders-gather-for-emergency-cec-meeting-over-najibs-conditional-pardon/235795
Then after the meeting ;
” Hannah Yeoh: Loke’s resignation offer was DAP CEC’s final decision, must be respected ”
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/09/21/hannah-yeoh-lokes-resignation-offer-was-dap-cecs-final-decision-must-be-respected/236001
========
This is PH’s own internal messy issue. Deal with it. Do not blame others.
” He is doing a good job; why should Anthony Loke resign? – Anwar ” The link – https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/127817/he-is-doing-a-good-job-why-should-anthony-loke-resign-anwar ======== The Prime Minister should put forward this question to Loke and the other DAP leaders who were there during their CEC meeting and decided on Loke’s resignation. It was after Loke made his statement of resigning public that others step in to give their views. Did the DAP CEC think this matter through. Did they care to ask the PH coalition leader before making that decision? No. Did they not know that the PM will ask Loke to withdraw the resignation… Read more »