Former solicitor-general Azailiza Mohd Ahad did not resign but she took out the option for early retirement, chief secretary to the government Ali Hamsa said today.

"It's not a resignation. Azailiza is still in service.

"She wanted to opt out because every civil servant has this right, whether to wait until 60 to retire or they can also can opt out after the age of 50," Ali Hamsa said when met by reporters.