Transport Minister Anthony Loke’s planned exit from the federal Cabinet is a major loss for Penang, with DAP assemblyman Lim Guan Eng crediting him with securing more than RM21 billion in critical transport infrastructure for the state.
In a press statement, the former Penang chief minister detailed the federal investments championed by Loke during his ministerial tenure, Malay Mail reported.
The projects include the RM16.8 billion Penang Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, the RM1.55 billion expansion of Penang International Airport, RM30 million in upgrades for Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) stations, RM2.2 billion for Penang Port and RM500 million for the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal.
“With RM21 billion of approved transportation projects in Penang, Loke is possibly the most effective transport minister who has done the most for Penang compared to the series of MCA transport ministers before him,” Lim said, as reported by Newswav.
Lim said Penang’s 1.8 million residents deeply appreciate Loke’s willingness to sacrifice his executive post on principle and will remain grateful for his notable contributions to the state’s transport network.
Loke, who serves as DAP secretary-general and Seremban MP, announced on Saturday that he had offered to step down from the transport portfolio. The decision followed a nearly three-hour emergency DAP central executive committee (CEC) meeting at the party’s national headquarters in Pudu.
Lim explained that Loke offered his resignation to reaffirm DAP’s stand on the RM52 billion 1MDB scandal, whether serving in government or in opposition. He said the party remains steadfast in demanding that those responsible face justice, describing Loke’s move as an expression of DAP’s “polite disagreement” with the conditional royal pardon granted to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Loke clarified that he would retain his party leadership and parliamentary seat, and confirmed that all other DAP ministers and deputy ministers would remain in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s unity administration.
Speaking on Sunday, Anwar said he had not yet received a formal resignation letter and intended to meet with Loke to hear his views before making any final decision.
