PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said that he would be taking a short break to spend time with his family "whom I have not seen enough of in recent years".
The former prime minister said this was after over four decades in politics and the recent election campaign, which he said was regrettably personal and perhaps the most intense in Malaysian history.
"My Barisan Nasional colleagues and I are committed to respecting the will of the people and facilitating a smooth transfer of power.
"The best interests of Malaysia and its people will always be my first priority and I intend to continue serving them in whatever capacity I can," he said in a Facebook post on Saturday (May 12) morning.
The Barisan chairman and Umno president said that he prayed for the country to unite after this divisive period and apologised for any shortcomings and mistakes.
Najib also thanked the people for the opportunity to lead Malaysia.
"It has been the honour of my lifetime to serve you and Malaysia," he said.
Umno suffered its biggest defeat after Barisan failed to achieve a simple majority to form the Federal Government in the recently-concluded GE14.