KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak has announced his resignation as Umno president and Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, effective immediately.
Umno's political bureau has agreed that Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will assume the role of party president, Najib said.
Speaking at a press conference held at Menara Dato' Onn here, today, Najib added that Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein will assume the role of Umno deputy president and BN deputy chairman.
"We accept the decision of the rakyat with an open heart," Najib said.
"I would like to thank all Umno members and I guarantee that I will not leave the party and will continue to support Umno," he added.
Najib said he was saddened but accepted the result of the 14th General Election (GE14).
"Whoever wins the war of perception, they win the rakyat's trust," he said, further expressing his confidence that Umno will continue to shine and will be able to regain the rakyat's trust.
Najib said the decision was made based on the party's principle that if the party failed or lost in the general election, its president has to abide by the moral obligation.
"We took this into consideration, and BN and Umno lost in the election, therefore I, as the president of Umno and Barisan Nasional, will resign from my post immediately.”