‘Najib factor’ a consideration in Melaka polls, Loke admits
He stressed that voters would also assess other considerations, including the performance of their elected representatives, the delivery of public services and the state's development.
HANG TUAH JAYA – The Kuala Lumpur High Court's decision allowing former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest could influence voting patterns in the 16th Melaka state election, but the ultimate decision rests with the electorate.
Responding to a question from Sinar Daily on whether the ruling could benefit Pakatan Harapan (PH), DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said the Najib issue was among several factors voters could take into consideration when deciding which candidates to support.
However, he stressed that voters would also assess other considerations, including the performance of their elected representatives, the delivery of public services and the state's development.
"I do not want to use that. But, the Najib factor is also one of the factors voters can consider," he said.
Loke was also asked who would succeed him following his resignation as Transport Minister, to which he said no discussions had taken place.
"Regarding my successor, we will discuss that later. Not yet," he said.
He told reporters this after attending PH’s Ceramah Perdana at Taman Mutiara Melaka, Batu Berendam, last night, in conjunction with the 16th Melaka state election.
Loke had previously announced his intention to resign from the Cabinet following the decision in September to grant Najib a conditional pardon, allowing the former prime minister to serve the remainder of his prison sentence in the SRC International case under house arrest.
On Nov 6, Loke reiterated that his resignation would take effect once Najib was allowed to return to his residence to serve his sentence under house arrest.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court on Nov 10 subsequently allowed Najib to serve the remainder of his prison sentence for the SRC International case under house arrest at his Langgak Duta residence, with immediate effect.
Following the ruling, Loke announced that his resignation as Transport Minister would take effect immediately.
The Election Commission (EC) has set Nov 14 as polling day for the state election. Nomination day was held on Oct 31, while early voting took place on Nov 10.
A total of 79 candidates are contesting all 28 state constituencies, with a coalition requiring at least 15 seats to secure a simple majority and form the state government.
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