Loke’s Resignation A Big Loss To Govt – Ramanan

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 (Bernama) -- Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan has described Anthony Loke Siew Fook’s decision to resign as Transport Minister as a major loss to the government.

“I am sad. He is a good friend and was my Cabinet colleague. I will miss him, but this is his decision and position. He is a man of principle and we have to accept it. This is a major loss,” he said here today.

He was speaking to reporters after attending the PERKESO ‘I Lindung U’ 2026 Media Awards here.

Yesterday, Loke announced his immediate resignation as Transport Minister following the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s decision to allow former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest.

In another development, Ramanan said any Cabinet reshuffle was within the Prime Minister’s purview and that he had not received any notification about one so far.

Yesterday, Anwar said it was not yet time to consider a Cabinet reshuffle, following the impending end of Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan’s term as a Dewan Negara member on Dec 11.

Commenting on Saturday’s Melaka state election, Ramanan, who is also a vice-president of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), urged voters to turn out and elect their new representatives.

“I hope all the people of Melaka will fulfil their responsibility and come out in large numbers to vote. This is important because it is your right and your decision on who will lead the state,” he said.

-- BERNAMA