Why should a good man go when the corrupt stay? Anwar says Malaysia needs ministers like Anthony Loke

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim strongly defended Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook's position in the Cabinet, emphasizing the need for principled leaders who focus on aiding ordinary citizens, especially in contrast to those involved in corruption.

This support came at an event where RM1,000 financial aid vouchers were distributed to taxi, rental car, and school bus drivers, funded by record sales from the 'H' vehicle registration series.

Anwar praised Loke's commitment while addressing recent political controversies and the public transport aid initiative's successful launch.

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 14 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim sought again today to make a case for Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook to remain in his Cabinet, saying the country needs principled leaders and that the corrupt should be the ones stepping down.

Speaking at the Transport Ministry during the distribution of RM1,000 special financial assistance to taxi, rental car, and school bus drivers, Anwar commended Loke's dedication to ordinary working Malaysians, including the initiative today.

“Some people think people like him should step down. Why should a good person like him have to resign? The ones who should resign are those involved in corruption,” he said in his speech.

“I told him to stay on and get the job done, because the country needs principled leaders. This country needs leaders who care about ordinary people,” he said, noting that leaders must stay focused on the daily struggles of fishermen, farmers, and low-wage workers.

Loke, who is the DAP secretary-general, tendered his resignation as transport minister on September 19 following the political controversy surrounding the conditional royal pardon granted to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Loke subsequently clarified on September 29 that he would continue serving until the issue of Najib's proposed house arrest is resolved.

Record plate sales fund driver aid

Today’s ceremony marked the immediate rollout of the RM1,000 one-off grant announced under Budget 2027 last Friday. The initiative is funded entirely by revenue generated from the Transport Ministry's special 'H' vehicle registration series, which netted RM91.2 million, far eclipsing initial projections of RM30 million.

The series set a national record for the most expensive vehicle registration number in Malaysian history, with H1 selling for RM10 million.

“The car is not included; it is just the number plate,” Loke said, in apparent jest. “This is the highest amount ever paid for a single vehicle registration number in our country.”

Loke explained that he proposed channelling the auction proceeds to public transport drivers during a working trip to Sarawak.

“I knew the prime minister had a soft spot for taxi drivers. When I made the proposal, he said, ‘Good idea, go ahead’,” Loke said.

Around 500 drivers received the RM1,000 aid vouchers at today's event to help offset operating overheads and vehicle maintenance.

The ministry will expand distribution nationwide in phases, beginning in Penang on October 17, with early disbursements timed to assist Hindu drivers ahead of the upcoming Deepavali festival.

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首相拿督斯里安华·易卜拉欣强烈捍卫交通部长陆兆福在内阁中的地位，强调需要有原则的领导人，专注于帮助普通公民，尤其要与那些卷入腐败的人形成鲜明对比。

在一次活动中，主办方向出租车司机、租车司机和校车司机发放了价值 1000 令吉的财政援助券，资金来自“H”系列车辆牌照创纪录的销售额。

安华在谈到最近的政治争议和公共交通援助计划的成功启动时，赞扬了陆兆福的敬业精神。

布城，10月14日讯——首相拿督斯里安华·易卜拉欣今天再次为交通部长陆兆福留在内阁辩护，称国家需要有原则的领导人，而腐败分子应该下台。

安华在交通部向出租车、租车和校车司机发放 1000 令吉特别财政援助时发表讲话，赞扬了陆兆福对普通马来西亚劳动者的奉献精神，包括今天的这项举措。

“有些人认为像他这样的人应该辞职。像他这样的好人为什么要辞职？真正应该辞职的是那些涉嫌腐败的人，”他在演讲中说道。

“我告诉他要留下来把工作做好，因为国家需要有原则的领导人。这个国家需要关心普通民众的领导人，”他说道，并指出领导人必须始终关注渔民、农民和低收入工人的日常困境。

民主行动党秘书长陆兆福于9月19日辞去交通部长一职，此前，前首相拿督斯里纳吉·拉扎克获得有条件皇家赦免一事引发了政治争议。

9月29日，陆兆福随后澄清，他将继续任职，直到纳吉布提出的软禁问题得到解决。

唱片销售基金司机援助

今天的仪式标志着上周五在2027年财政预算案中宣布的1000令吉一次性补助金立即生效。该计划的全部资金来自交通部特殊“H”系列车辆登记费的收入，该系列收入高达9120万令吉，远远超过最初3000万令吉的预期。

该系列车型创下了马来西亚历史上最昂贵车牌号码的全国纪录，其中 H1 的售价为 1000 万令吉。

“这不包括车辆本身，只是车牌号，”洛克显然是在开玩笑。“这是我们国家有史以来为单个车辆登记号码支付的最高价格。”

陆兆福在前往砂拉越出差期间解释说，他提议将拍卖所得款项用于补贴公共交通司机。

“我知道总理对出租车司机很有同情心。当我提出这个建议时，他说，‘好主意，去做吧’，”陆兆福说。

在今天的活动中，约有 500 名司机获得了 1000 令吉的援助券，以帮助抵消运营成本和车辆维护费用。

该部门将分阶段在全国范围内扩大发放范围，从 10 月 17 日在槟城开始，提前发放款项是为了在即将到来的屠妖节之前帮助印度教司机。

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