Already-resigned Loke refuses to entertain fresh quit calls over Zetrix AI controversy

PUTRAJAYA, 5 OCTOBER 2026 —

Already-resigned Transport Minister Anthony Loke has firmly rejected fresh calls for him to step down following the suspension of Zetrix AI Bhd, formerly known as MyEG Sdn Bhd, as a collection agent for the Road Transport Department (RTD).

Loke, who has already tendered his resignation, addressed the issue during a press conference in Putrajaya, asserting that the demands for his departure were driven by "cybertroopers" on social media rather than legitimate policy concerns. He argued that the logic behind these calls was flawed, questioning why a minister should be held accountable for a private company’s failure to pay its debts, especially when the ministry had actively pursued the funds.

The immediate consequence of this dispute is the suspension of all services provided by MyEG and Zetrix AI under the MyEG Group as collection agents for RTD. The Road Transport Department announced on October 2 that these services would be halted effective October 5. Director-General Aedy Fadly Ramli stated that the decision was reached after a thorough review of the company’s compliance with the terms and conditions of their agreement.

He highlighted the company’s unfulfilled obligations and unresolved positions as the primary drivers for the termination. Ramli assured the public that essential services and transactions would continue uninterrupted through official and alternative channels provided by the department, ensuring that the suspension would not impede daily administrative processes for citizens.

The suspension follows a revelation by Singapore’s Straits Times, which reported that MyEG owed the government over RM200 million. Official documents sighted by the daily indicated that Zetrix AI had failed to remit collections since it began its three-year contract with RTD in May 2023. This report sparked widespread concern regarding the integrity of the public-private partnership and the oversight mechanisms in place to monitor such financial obligations.

The revelation brought the issue to the forefront of national discourse, prompting questions about the duration of the non-payment and the effectiveness of government controls in managing large-scale digital service contracts.

Addressing the media reports, Loke sought to clarify the timeline of the financial discrepancies. He dismissed claims that MyEG had failed to make payments for the entire three-year duration of the contract. Instead, he specified that the current failure to settle RTD payments, which totals RM314 million, occurred specifically between May and September 30 of this year.

Loke emphasized the importance of correcting the public narrative, stating that the arrears did not span the entire contract period. He noted that while there had been past arrears prior to May, the company had settled those amounts after the ministry issued letters and reminders. The significant outstanding balance of RM314 million, he clarified, dates back only to May of this year, a period of a few months rather than years.

Loke further detailed the administrative steps taken by the government to recover the funds. He noted that the Finance Ministry had issued more than 30 notices to the company, explicitly instructing it to settle the outstanding payments. These repeated communications underscore the government’s persistent efforts to resolve the issue through formal channels before resorting to more drastic measures.

The volume of notices issued suggests a prolonged period of negotiation and enforcement attempts, highlighting the complexity of the financial dispute. Loke’s explanation aims to demonstrate that the ministry was proactive in addressing the non-compliance, countering allegations of negligence or inaction on the part of the government.

In response to the ongoing controversy, Loke stressed that the Transport Ministry will take legal action against MyEG to recover the funds owed to RTD. This legal pursuit signals a shift from administrative reminders to formal judicial proceedings, indicating the government’s determination to secure the RM314 million in unpaid collections. The decision to pursue legal remedies reflects the seriousness with which the ministry views the breach of contract.

By initiating legal action, the government aims not only to recover the lost revenue but also to establish a precedent for accountability in public-private partnerships. This step is expected to involve detailed litigation regarding the terms of the agreement and the specific obligations of the company.

Loke also assured the public that the current situation will not disrupt public transactions or payments to RTD. Despite the suspension of MyEG’s services, the department has implemented alternative channels to ensure continuity of service. This assurance is crucial for maintaining public confidence in the government’s ability to manage essential services during periods of contractual dispute.

The transition to alternative channels is designed to minimize inconvenience for citizens who rely on digital platforms for road transport-related transactions. The government’s focus on maintaining service continuity underscores its commitment to public welfare, even in the face of significant financial and administrative challenges.

The controversy has also sparked broader discussions about the role of civil servants and the efficiency of government agencies. Some commentators have questioned why it took RTD so long to identify that money collected was not being remitted, suggesting that the department would have known within two weeks if no money had come in.

This perspective places the fault on the civil servants manning RTD, raising questions about the actions being taken against them for any perceived failure to carry out their duties. The debate highlights the complex interplay between political leadership and bureaucratic execution in managing public funds and service delivery.

Furthermore, the incident has drawn attention to the regulatory oversight of publicly listed companies. MyEG is a public listed company with its shares publicly traded on Bursa Malaysia. This status has led to calls for the Securities Commission to investigate whether the company or any involved party, including the government, had wilfully withheld material non-public information and benefited from it.

Such an investigation would be critical in ensuring market integrity and protecting investors from potential insider trading or information asymmetry. The involvement of a listed company in a high-profile government contract dispute adds a layer of financial market scrutiny to the administrative and legal proceedings.

The reaction to the suspension and the subsequent legal action reflects a mix of public frustration and demand for accountability. While some voices on social media have been critical of the minister’s resignation, others have focused on the systemic issues within the civil service and the need for stricter oversight of public-private partnerships.

The case of Zetrix AI and RTD serves as a significant test for the government’s ability to manage large-scale digital infrastructure projects and ensure transparency in financial dealings. As the legal process unfolds, the outcome will likely have implications for future contracts and the broader landscape of public sector digitalization in Malaysia.

In the immediate aftermath, the focus remains on the recovery of the RM314 million and the restoration of trust in the public-private partnership model. The Transport Ministry’s decision to pursue legal action marks a definitive step in addressing the breach, while the RTD’s assurance of continued service through alternative channels aims to mitigate any public inconvenience. The situation underscores the importance of robust contractual frameworks and effective monitoring mechanisms in managing government contracts.

As the legal proceedings progress, stakeholders will be watching closely for developments that could influence the resolution of the dispute and the future of digital service delivery in the transport sector. The case remains a pivotal moment for accountability and reform in Malaysia’s public administration.

Related: Zetrix AI Bhd · Road Transport Department (RTD) · Anthony Loke · Putrajaya