Regardless, a PM has to represent the Govt, if he doesn't, it is meaningless to say He represents the country. Question is represent the country as what?

Still points back to the Govt, since he's the head of Govt. That is my argument.

I know they're playing a technical game.

But honestly..try imagine a normal citizen approaching the prime minister asking for help and he tells that poor rakyat, I don't represent the Govt.
It just doesn't make any sense if we go with their technical argument.