Former Malaysian PM Najib says to 'take a break' after election loss

KUALA LUMPUR - Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who just witnessed a shocking loss in the general elections, said on Saturday that he will "take a short break" to spend time with family whom he has not seen enough in recent years.

Najib, 64, said in several tweets that he made the decision "after over four decades in politics and the recent election campaign, which was regrettably personal and perhaps the most intense in Malaysian history."

He also said he and the losing Barisan Nasional coalition are committed to respecting the election results 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.

The former prime minister, who has been embroiled in the 1MDB state fund scandal but denied any wrongdoing, said he apologizes "for any shortcomings and mistakes." "I pray that after this divisive period, the country will unite," he said in the tweets.

Najib did not elaborate on how he plans to take the "short break" and for how long, but local media, citing leaking passenger lists, reported on Friday night that he and his wife were about to take a flight to Indonesia on Saturday.

Najib, along with several heavyweights of his party, the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), attended a low-key celebration of the party's 72nd anniversary at the UMNO headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on Friday. But he broke the tradition of speaking to the party members and did not speak to the media either.

The new Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has said that if Najib were found to do something wrong, "he will have to face the consequences." The new government is expected to hold a press conference and unveil the new cabinet line-up on Saturday.