KUALA LUMPUR, May 12 ― Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced today his resignation as Umno president and BN chairman.

He said that it was his moral obligation to step down as the political party had suffered serious defeat in the 14th general election.

"As the Umno president and BN chairman, I take full responsibility and I step down from my positions with immediate effect,” he told a news conference at the Putra World Trade Centre here.

Najib’s deputy, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, will take over both positions for the time being.

In turn, Najib’s cousin Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein will step up as acting Umno deputy president and BN deputy chairman.

Najib stressed that he remains a member of Umno and BN, and promised his continued support for their cause.

He said BN had its work cut out to "repair” its image following its humiliating loss at the May 9 polls with only 79 seats in Parliament.

"There is much to repair even though a lot of it can be attributed to perception and not reality. However, this is the game of politics.

"Whoever wins the war of perception can control the support of the people,” he said.

"This is why we're sad, but we are democratic and we accept it with open heart.”