JOHOR BARU (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Malaysians have been urged to trust the country's institutions in dealing with issues affecting troubled state investment company 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (BNBBC) chairman Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad said the people should not be influenced by external elements like foreign media speculation, and should be patient until investigations were completed.

"We have to be patient and trust the country's institutions to do their work. If we keep believing in foreign media and outsiders' allegations, then it will be difficult for us," he told reporters after handing over Aidilfitri contributions from Johor Baru Umno to single mothers, orphans, the disabled and the poor here, Saturday.

Shahrir, who is also Johor Baru Umno chief, said the allegations were deliberate attempts to test the strength of the country's institutions in addressing the issues.

He said foreign media attempts to denigrate developing countries like Malaysia were not new as it had happened even under the administration of the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He said Malaysia would be seen as a mature and democratic country with strong institutions if it was able to handle the situation and counter all allegations.

"The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has started the hearings and has been calling up witnesses, so we just wait for the outcome of the investigations," he added.

The Auditor-General's (A-G) office said the interim report on 1MDB would be handed over to the PAC at a briefing scheduled for July 9.