MELAKA, Nov 11 — DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook has challenged Barisan Nasional (BN) to quit the unity government, even as he claimed the coalition will not do so for fear of losing its political influence.

Speaking at a Pakatan Harapan (PH) ceramah in Ayer Keroh last night, he hit back at BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s call for an early general election instead of a new appointment to the Cabinet, news portal Free Malaysia Today reported. 

“They want the government positions, because they know that if they lose those positions, they would lose their influence as well,” Loke was quoted as saying.

He added that the mandate to govern remained in the prime minister’s hands, and that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who also goes by the moniker PMX, still has majority support.

“If you don’t like it, you can leave the government,” he was quoted as saying.

Loke announced on September 19 that he would resign as transport minister over the Pardons Board’s decision to let former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak serve the rest of his sentence at home.

He stepped down yesterday after the revised High Court order paved the way for Najib to begin serving the remainder of his six-year SRC International jail term under house arrest last night.

Loke said collective responsibility required every party in Putrajaya to toe the same line.

He accused BN of attacking the prime minister every day while staying in government.

Turning to Melaka voters, he urged them to see what was really happening.

“Don’t allow them to be too arrogant here in Melaka.

“Use your votes to keep them in check,” he was quoted as saying.

Melaka votes on Saturday.