Terengganu's Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin has stripped state Menteri Besar Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman of all state titles effective April 22, Bernama reported.

Speculation had been rife of strained ties between the Terengganu palace and Ahmad Razif after he was introduced at two official events over the weekend without any honorary titles.

A Parti Amanah Negara-linked news portal on Saturday quoted a source who claimed that Sultan Mizan had last Friday revoked all titles awarded to Ahmad Razif as a sign of his displeasure, triggering rumours of another menteri besar change.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak urged all quarters to stop speculating on the issue, stating that the state government administration was functioning normally.

"I am scheduled to have an audience with the Sultan of Terengganu soon. I will issue a statement after that," he told reporters in Kuching.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Razif said he has accepted the decision of Sultan Mizan to revoke all state titles awarded to him.

He told Bernama that as a citizen and leader he would continue to prove his loyalty to the sultan.

"I will continue to be loyal and the interest of the people of Terengganu will continue to be my priority so long as I still hold the post.

"I accept and submit myself to what has happened and fully understand the absolute right of the sultan in conferring awards and withdrawing them and it is important for us to take a lesson from what has happened as a citizen and leader loyal to king and country," he said in a SMS (short-messaging system) posting.

Bernama said the revoking of titles was announced in a statement issued by the Comptroller of the Royal Household, Office of His Royal Highness the Sultan of Terengganu.

The statement reads: "After consultation with the Terengganu Royal Council, it is hereby announced that His Royal Highness the Sultan has stripped Ahmad Razif bin Abd Rahman of all Terengganu awards bestowed on him effective Friday April 22, 2016.”

"This declaration has no connection with other developments in Terengganu," it added.

Ahmad Razif was bestowed the Darjah Dato' Paduka Mahkota Terengganu Kehormat

(DPMT), which carries the title 'Datuk', in 2012 and the Seri Setia Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin (SSMZ), which carries the title 'Datuk Seri', in April 2015.

Ahmad Razif, who is the state assemblyperson for Seberang Takir, was sworn in as the menteri besar of Terengganu on May 12, 2014, to replace Ahmad Said.