He said he had done his best to ensure the party could rise again and had given the wing “his all” for the past five years.

“I’ve made the decision to not defend my position as Umno Youth chief,” he said during his concluding speech at the wing’s meeting for the Umno general assembly.

He also apologised for his mistakes and failure to lead the wing, adding that he hoped a new leadership would be able to bring fresh ideas to the party.

Asyraf said he had initially wanted to resign after Umno’s poor showing in the 15th general election (GE15), but was stopped by party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who reminded him to be patient as the party’s elections were just around the corner.

He said Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob also told him to hold on to his position as it was then unclear if the party could move forward after its dismal performance in GE15.

Asyraf was elected leader of the youth wing in 2018 after the fall of the Barisan Nasional government.