Subang Umno chief Armand Azha Abu Hanifah said the BN partners needed one another, as the parties were allies in “good times and bad”.

His call comes as growing sections of BN partners MIC and MCA have urged that the parties quit the coalition.

In a Facebook post this evening, Armand said: “The people are observing how we are managing the BN household. And I’m sure the BN leadership will be able to resolve this issue among ‘siblings’ when we return to the negotiation table.”

Earlier today, Selangor MIC said the relationship with Selangor Umno was in limbo, a week after the party president said MIC was seriously considering its political future amid calls to leave BN.

However, MCA president Wee Ka Siong said the party has yet to decide on leaving Barisan Nasional, as MCA still has “many options.”

Armand said the public spat among the BN parties had sent the wrong message to voters. He called for an end to such public attacks. He said the public were assessing which party was stable enough to lead the country “and it starts with us (BN).”