Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein believed the Malay Rulers would have said so directly if the institution had lost faith in the Prime Minister's leadership.

Therefore, he urged everyone not to misinterpret the statements made by the Conference of Rulers.

"If the rulers no longer have confidence in the Prime Minister, I believe they would have said that straight. They would not have raised the matter of 1MDB," said Hishammuddin at a press conference, Thursday.

He added that the Malay Rulers' statement was an emphasis on the important role to be played by leaders.

Also present at the press conference was Youth and Sports Minister, Khairy Jamaluddin, who concurred with Hishammuddin on the matter.

On Tuesday, the Malay Rulers had called on the government to complete the investigation related to 1MDB soonest and take "the appropriate stern action" against all found to be implicated.

The Rulers had stressed that all concerned should extend "real and sincere" cooperation for the investigation to achieve its objectives.

The statement was released by the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal, Datuk Seri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad, after the pre-council meeting of the Conference of Rulers at Istana Negara on Tuesday.