Inspector-general of police (IGP) Ismail Omar is not resigning, as rumoured on the social media, but will be retiring next week as his term ends on May 17.

Police spokesperson Ramli Mohamed Yusoof, in a statement posted on the police's official Facebook page, said that an official ceremony will be held next Thursday.

"The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) views the spread of libel that the police chief is resigning following pressure from political parties seriously. The statement has ill intentions and is slanderous," he said.

He also refuted claims that the national police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur is in "havoc", adding that Bukit Aman is as peaceful as its name suggests.

NONE"We wish to remind all that individuals who spread false information which have seditious elements can be punished under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, Section 500 of the Penal Code and Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act," he said.

Ismail is the ninth IGP after taking over from Musa Hassan (right) in September 2010.

He is expected to hand over his duties to his deputy Khalid Abu Bakar during the retirement dinner on May 16.

Also due to retire next week is Selangor police chief Tun Hisan Hamzah.