Following the decree on 1MDB by the Conference of Rulers, Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein is refuting claims that the rulers have lost confidence in Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak .

The rulers' decree that the 1MDB probe be wrapped up and wrongdoers punished is being viewed by some quarters as a signal for Najib to step down.

“That statement (that it means the rulers have lost confidence in Najib) is irresponsible...

“It’s not fair. If the rulers want to say they have no confidence in the PM, they will say it directly. They don’t have to mention 1MDB,” said Hishammuddin, who is Najib's cousin.

The rulers in the rare decree on Tuesday also called on all responsible to cooperate with the investigation.

Najib had been accused of derailing the task force probe when Mohamad Apandi Ali was appointed to replace Abdul Gani Patail as attorney-general, with the latter said to be suffering from health problems.

Among others, the task force was investigating the RM2.6 billion deposited into Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's accounts a few months before the 13th general election.

This sum was described as political donation from a Middle Eastern source while Najib has repeatedly denied using public funds for personal gain.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) probe into 1MDB also hit a brick wall when the prime minister appointed its chief and several BN MPs into the cabinet.

Najib also removed Muhyiddin Yassin as deputy prime minister and Shafie Apdal as a minister for being critical of 1MDB.

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