The finance ministry took to Twitter to deny the rumour after a photo of a “resignation letter” purportedly from the finance minister went viral on social media.

“The finance ministry would like to deny it has received any such resignation letter. The minister remains focused on the welfare and well-being of the people and the economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic,” it said.

Yesterday, Tengku Zafrul said that his absence from the Dewan Rakyat in the morning was due to a personal emergency. He was clarifying media reports, after an MP had questioned if he had resigned following the government’s move to allow one more withdrawal from the Employees Provident Fund.

He was previously reported to have said that he was willing to resign over the issue, after many quarters, including former prime minister Najib Razak, had urged the government to allow such withdrawals.