Palace officials today dismissed rumours that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had died due to his continuing illness.

When contacted today, the latest at about 4.30pm, officials from both Istana Negara and Istana Selangor told malaysiakini the Agong was "masih stable" (still stable) and was receiving treatment at the Gleneagles Intan private hospital in the city.

Malaysiakini has been inundated with telephone calls from readers asking about the Agong's health.

Meanwhile, Bernama quoted Istana Negara controller Ishak Ahmad as saying that the ruler was in "critical but stable" condition.

Intensive care

"According to his doctors, the Agong needs intensive care. He is in critical condition but he is stable," Bernama reported.

"We appeal to the people to jointly pray to God for the safety and well-being of his majesty so that his health will return to normal," said Ishak.

The Agong had just returned from Singapore last Sunday, after having a complete two-month rest there, following a cardiac operation in a private hospital in the island-state.

The Agong had on Sept 19, undergone a two-hour surgery to have a pacemaker implanted, before being warded at the hospital's intensive cardiac care unit.