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Najib Razak steps down from BN, Umno leadership posts

KUALA LUMPUR — Hours after he was prevented from flying out of the country, former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak announced on Saturday (May 12) that he would be stepping down from his leadership posts at the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition and its lynchpin party United Malays National Organisation (Umno) with immediate effect, following a bruising defeat in the polls three days ago.

Former Malaysian premier Najib Razak, who has resigned from the BN and Umno's top leadership posts, gets a hug from his former deputy Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Former Malaysian premier Najib Razak, who has resigned from the BN and Umno's top leadership posts, gets a hug from his former deputy Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

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KUALA LUMPUR — Hours after he was prevented from flying out of the country, former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak announced on Saturday (May 12) that he would be stepping down from his leadership posts at the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition and its lynchpin party United Malays National Organisation (Umno) with immediate effect, following a bruising defeat in the polls three days ago.

Speaking at a press conference held at Putra World Trade Centre, Datuk Seri Najib said that there was a “moral responsibility” to resign from his current positions given that both Umno and BN suffered a “heavy loss” in Wednesday’s (May 9) polls. Mr Najib is the president of Umno and chairman of BN.

“Based on the principle that whoever is the leader of the party and that party loses in an election, there is a moral responsibility to accept the loss,” said Datuk Seri Najib, who was flanked by Umno’s key leaders, including former deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and defence minister Hishamuddin Hussein.

“Therefore, I accept the principle with an open heart, and because of that I'm announcing my decision to step down from both posts and this is the right thing to do as there is a moral responsibility to do so.”

Mr Zahid will take over the duties of Umno president and BN chairman, while Mr Hishamuddin will assume the roles of deputy in both bodies.

Urging all of Umno’s various divisions, including its women’s and youth wings, to give their “full support and confidence” to the new leadership, Datuk Seri Najib said that this is key so that the party can “face the current serious challenges, while at the same time take positive steps to ensure we can regain the support of the people to Umno and BN”.

He added: “This is to enable Umno and BN to rise again as a party that has the trust and confidence of the people.”

Acknowledging the disappointment over the election, Datuk Seri Najib said that as a party that believes and embraces democracy, “we accept the people’s decision with an open heart”.

Once dominant, BN lost power for the first time in six decades after losing to the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition.

Results from the polls showed that BN only won 79 out of 222 parliamentary seats up for grabs, sharply down from the 133 seats it clinched in the last election in 2013.

PH won 113 parliamentary seats, with the rest going to other smaller parties.

Datuk Seri Najib said the loss suffered by Umno and BN was due to incorrect perceptions.

“And this gives us the opportunity to improve whatever weaknesses and flaws that we have, although this is based more on perception than reality,” he said, hours after he was blacklisted by Malaysian authorities from leaving the country. 

“But that is the name of the game in politics. That means, whoever wins the game of perception will be able to win over the people's support.”

Thanking all Umno members for their support and trust since he assumed the prime minister position in 2009, he pointed out that both Umno and BN have “greatly contributed” to the country’s success in the last 60 years.

“We cannot deny that the country's success is due to the efforts of Umno and BN’s leaders,” said Mr Najib. “Once again, I thank all Umno members and give my word that I will not leave Umno and will continue to support the party.”

Datuk Seri Najib's announcement was not a surprise, coming after several Umno leaders from six states including Pahang, Kedah and Negeri Sembilan publicly called for his resignation and described him as a "liability".

Mr Hishammuddin also weighed in on the issue earlier on Saturday, saying in a post on social media that the party is in need of new leadership.

He added: "To beloved Umno members, do not act emotionally. We are doing this for the future and our unity. I have passed this on to the top leadership including to the party's wings.

"I call on all parties to be patient and to give us room so we can execute this as soon as possible. Believe me, I will do the best for my beloved party and country."

On Friday (May 11), which was UMNO's 72nd anniversary, former youth and sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin had already hinted on the need for a leadership change, posting on Facebook that this is required to restore Umno to its "original glory".

Speaking to reporters after the press conference, Umno women’s wing chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil paid tribute to Datuk Seri Najib.

“Whether we like it or not, we have to accept the fact that Najib has long been in the Government. During his time in government and as PM, he has made many contributions. We cannot forget that. That's our Malaysian culture,” she said.

“He is very big hearted, he has decided to step down. We accept the reality of this. Mr Najib has put the interests of the party, members and Malaysians more than his self-interests in making this decision.”

Although Umno is going through a “challenging time”, Ms Shahrizat – who is formerly Minister of Women, Family and Community Development – noted that the party members cannot allow “people to divide us”.

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