Najib steps down as chief of Umno and BN

Najib (centre) announcing his resignation as Umno and Barisan Nasional chief, flanked by Zahid (left) who will take over his duties and Hishammuddin (right) who will assume the deputy roles. – AFP

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has officially announced his resignation as Umno president and Barisan Nasional chairman.

At a media conference at the Umno headquarters in Menara Dato' Onn, Kuala Lumpur on Saturday (May 12), Najib also announced that Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi would carry out the duties of the party president.

Najib did not explicitly say if Dr Ahmad Zahid would carry out the duties of Barisan chairman but said that Hishammuddin would carry out the duties of both Umno and Barisan deputy chairman.

Najib added that the Umno constitution does not have a provision for an acting president.

He also said the heads of Umno Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings supported the decision.

"Umno and Barisan Nasional have suffered heavy losses (in GE14).

"I, as Umno president and Barisan Nasional chairman, have made the decision to step down," he told reporters.

"We feel saddened by what has happened, but as a party that embraces democratic principles, we accept the decision," he said.