The Prime Minister's Office has warned that internal squabbles will cause public support for the government to erode.

"God willing, if we are calm and continue to remain united, we will be able to handle this challenge and defend public support towards the government and party," read the PMO statement.

In this issue, PMO said former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad ( photo ) has also caused damage.

"The action of the former premier who continues to make all sorts of baseless allegations, including the claim that RM42 billion of 1MDB funds went missing despite the government explaining the matter has contributed to the erosion of people’s trust towards the government and party," it added.

The PMO was responding to Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's speech at the Cheras Umno division annual meet last night.

Muhyiddin had expressed concern the 1MDB issue has affected public perception of Umno and warned that the ruling coalition would be defeated if an election is held now.

Describing 1MDB as the "sovereign debt fund", he lamented how his advice to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak on this matter fell on deaf ears.

The PMO had asked Muhyiddin to be patient and wait for the outcome of the probes into the allegations, including the one being carried out by a special task force.

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