Ousted prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, who led BN to its worst ever showing at the national polls, today took partial blame for the loss.

Najib said he had accepted "moral responsibility" and that was why he renounced his position as Umno chairperson after BN lost federal power for the first time in over 60 years.

Even so, in a report by The Malaysian Insight, Najib stated that there had been shortcomings at every level of Umno.

“Yes, our rivals made plenty of false promises but we, too, had our own weaknesses. While I accepted the moral responsibility for our loss by resigning, there were shortcomings at every level of the party.

“I took responsibility, but others stayed quiet. But it’s okay, they don’t have to resign from their posts. If everyone did that, where would the party be?

“So let me be the one to resign,” he was quoted saying at the opening the Pekan Umno division meeting today.

Abandon money politics

Those who do stay, he said, should help correct the situation and return the party to its original struggles.

He added the party should abandon the practice of money politics, pointing out the party lost despite spending a huge amount of money.

“There were those who sulked when they didn’t get allocations. There were those who did get money but said they didn’t. Then, there were candidates who received allocations but did not spend it.

“How are we supposed to win when our attitude is like that?' he added.

Referring to the party polls being held today for the top party posts including president and deputy president, the Pekan Umno chief reportedly said: "It is time to change. We have to choose the best leaders for the party now and not because of (other) benefits.”

In the Umno divisions polls which had been held last week, Najib and his eldest son Mohd Nizar won the positions of Pekan chief and Pekan Youth chief unopposed.