“Like you, I heard the rumours,” the prime minister told reporters after chairing a meeting with Pakatan Harapan top leaders today.

“Unless I get an official letter, I won’t comment on rumours,” he said when asked if the Agong had abdicated his throne.

When asked if the Agong had returned to duty, Mahathir said, “As far as I know.”

This follows reports that the Malay rulers held a rare and unscheduled meeting on Wednesday night, “to discuss a serious matter”.

However, sources who spoke to the New Straits Times declined to confirm whether Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V had attended the meeting.

When asked if the Malay rulers could decide on an acting Agong if the current Agong does not carry out his duties, Mahathir said it was up to the rulers.

He also defended Putrajaya’s right to comment on matters under the state list of the Federal Constitution, following the statement by Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim that the government should not politicise national issues.

“He doesn’t understand about the federation. He wasn’t born then, so maybe he does not know,” he said.

“I was born then. Federation means we control the whole country. We have a list of what is controlled by the federation and what is controlled by the state.”

He added that there was no rule that the federal government cannot comment on matters touched on by a state.

When asked for his view on the acceptance by the Johor palace of his administration, Mahathir said: “He does not hold any position.”