He said such rumours were probably started to muddle the ongoing situation or split the government that is making efforts to resolve the bigger problem of containing the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on the people.

“I was also made to understand that in the Federal Constitution, there is no such term as the interim prime minister or government… I feel these rumours should not be entertained, especially when there are parties trying to divide us, because if we do entertain them, the situation will worsen.

“Don’t be caught up too much with what’s being bandied around because the right thing to do now is to calm the situation.

“Let us all unite as we have bigger responsibilities. Why don’t we just focus on that?”

Ismail, who is also defence minister, was speaking to reporters after handing out food baskets to the needy at the Charuk Puting mosque, following an inspection of the Guai bridge project here.

He was commenting on reports in media portals yesterday that he had strong support among Cabinet ministers to be appointed interim prime minister to replace Muhyiddin Yassin, with further claims that the Perikatan Nasional (PN) leadership was currently discussing the possibility.

Ismail also reiterated the stance adopted by the Umno Supreme Council to allow its MPs, including ministers, the freedom of not having to resign from positions they were holding in the government.

“From a legal point of view, if support for the prime minister is withdrawn, then the government will fall. So, the MPs were of the view that we should support the government to keep it intact,” he said.