Deputy public prosecutor Sallehuddin Saidin has denied he has resigned amidst strong speculations that a number of prosecutors will quit the Attorney-General's Chambers in protest.

Contacted today, the head of the classified cases unit under the prosecution division, denied speculations that he has submitted a resignation letter to his superior three days ago.

"Nothing is confirmed. There is nothing as resigning - it is just rumour," Sallehuddin, who was recently dropped from the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder trial's prosecution team, told malaysiakini .

The DPP however revealed that he was applying for optional retirement but did not elaborate.

Since yesterday, a strong rumour has been circulating that a group of prosecutors will resign today in protest over their alleged unhappiness with the Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail in the handling of several matters.

Apart from Sallehuddin, those rumoured to tender their resignations include prosecution division head Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden and at least two state chief prosecutors.

'Not true'

However when contacted today, Mohd Yusof denied that he was resigning from the chamber.

"It's not true," he told malaysiakini in a short-message-service (SMS) response.

Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail could not be reached for comment despite several attempts by malaysiakini .

In June, Salehuddin who was to lead the prosecution team in the Mongolian murder trial was abruptly dropped from the team the night before the trial was scheduled to start.

Gani later issued an explanation that Sallehuddin was replaced as the latter was seen socialising with the trial judge Mohd Zaki Mohd Yasin.