Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has reminded UMNO members to stop slamming former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

In his winding up speech at the UMNO Cheras division meeting here last night, Muhyiddin said doing so would only weaken Barisan Nasional.

He made this call in reference to Dr Mahathir's vocal criticism of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, with regard to the controversy surrounding 1Malaysia Development Berhad.

The more you slam him, the more his popularity will soar and ours will fall,” Muhyiddin said in his winding up speech at the UMNO Cheras division meeting here last night.

“I concur that Dr Mahathir is like a father to us, he is a former prime minister with a wealth of ideas,” said Muhyiddin, who is also Deputy Prime Minister.

“He (Dr Mahathir) is concerned with Najib’s situation because he cares for Najib… this is due to history with Tun (Abdul) Razak (Hussein).

“He’s only giving his opinion and I don’t think it’s too much,” Muhyiddin said.

He also voiced concern that left unchecked, the ongoing 1MDB controversy would cause Barisan National to lose should General Elections be held tomorrow.

It will be difficult and an uphill battle for Barisan Nasional,” he said.

Despite the negative public perception, Muhyiddin said there was still time to reverse the situation.