PETALING JAYA: DAP deputy chairman Gobind Singh Deo (pic) has sent a strong message - the party will never cooperate with Umno.

“It’s final. They have fought us endlessly in GE14. We have asked Malaysians to reject them and the people have rejected them with an aim to build a New Malaysia.

“We should not have any form of cooperation with them (Umno) at this point,” he said.

At the same time, Gobind said the issue of former Barisan Nasional elected representatives joining Pakatan Harapan should be scrutinised thoroughly, adding that the people’s mandate must be respected.

"The reform agenda and nation rebuilding must be given priority. Pakatan must take heed of the people’s interest, which have also entrusted Pakatan to clean up and save Malaysia,” he said in a statement on Sunday (Dec 16).

“Pakatan will hold a meeting soon to discuss this issue," he added.

Speculation was rife that former Barisan leaders are set to cross over to Pakatan after Umno was rocked by the exodus of its leaders across Malaysia.

Six Umno MPs announced their resignations on Friday (Dec 14), while five MPs, two senators and nine assemblymen from Sabah Umno left the party on Wednesday (Dec 12).