Ousted Malaysia Leader Quits as Party Chief, Banned From Travel
- Najib Razak had said he planned short break with his family
- New leader Mahathir pledged in campaign to reopen 1MDB probe
Najib Razak
Photographer: Brent Lewin/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak resigned Saturday as head of his party and was slapped with a travel ban as he faces the prospect his successor reopens a probe into a multi-billion dollar scandal at a state fund.
Najib announced he would step down as president of the United Malays National Organisation, and as chairman of the broader Barisan Nasional coalition, but said he would stay an active party member. His shock election loss on Wednesday at the hands of mentor turned rival Mahathir Mohamad brought Barisan Nasional’s 61-year rule to an abrupt end.