‘SUDDEN FURY’ ERUPTS AS NAJIB & ROSMAH TRY TO ‘LEAVE’ MALAYSIA: SHOCKED AT HOW MALAYSIANS RUSHED TO THE AIRPORT TO BLOCK HIM, EX-PM NAJIB SAYS TO DECIDE ON HIS FATE IN UMNO & BN NEXT WEEK

KUALA LUMPUR — Defeated Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today he will decide on his position as head of Umno and the coalition after returning from a short break abroad.

The former prime minister said he and his family will be taking a rest outside Malaysia from today and will mull over the BN’s loss of public support in the recently-concluded 14th general election.

“As soon as I return home next week, I will announce my decision and my plans for the future,” he said in a new posting on his Facebook page.

I’m leaving on a jet plane for ‘short break’, insists Najib

BN chairperson Najib Razak has spoken up about his controversial flight schedule leaked online, saying he needs to take a break to catch up with family after the intense 14th general election.

“After over four decades in politics and the recent election campaign, which was regrettably personal and perhaps the most intense in Malaysian history, I will take a short break to spend time with my family whom I have not seen enough of in recent years,” he posted on his Facebook this morning.

This follows his purported flight itinerary being leaked online, indicating he and his wife Rosmah Mansor were scheduled to depart for Jakarta at 10am today.

The news caused a crowd of about 60 and the media to descendon Subang Airport this morning.

Najib in his message did not elaborate on the duration of the trip or his plans upon his presumed return.

The trip just days after his humiliating defeat, BN’s worst in history, comes in the face of increasing government spotlight on the 1MDB scandal, as well as growing discontent from within Umno over his party leadership.

In a subsequent posting at approximately 11.30am, Najib said during his break he will decide his next step in Umno and BN.

“In that period, I will make a decision regarding my position as Umno president and BN chairperson, taking into consideration the loss of support for the people for BN in the election.

“I have heard all the views of various leaders and party members at all levels concerning my position,” he said.

Najib’s mea culpa

Najib in his posting was conciliatory and apologised to the people for any “shortcomings” of his two-term administration.

“My BN 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.

“I pray that after this divisive period, the country will unite. I apologise for any shortcomings and mistakes, and I thank you, the people, for the opportunity to lead our great nation.

“It has been the honour of my lifetime to serve you and Malaysia,” he wrote.

MALAY MAIL / MKINI