Muhyiddin Yassin has criticised Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for “jumping the gun” regarding Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and DAP.

“How can Najib talk about cooperation between a party which has not been formed and DAP?

“He also assumes that the cooperation will not benefit the Malays. This is an immature and irresponsible statement,” he said in a Facebook post.

However, Muhyiddin was not surprised with his former boss and his associates choosing this line of attack to discredit the new party and spook the Malays.

“DAP will be used as the most frightening hantu (ghost) to distract the Malays from all the breaches and wrongdoings.

“They will continue to claim that DAP is the main enemy of the Malays and urge the Malays to defend Najib who is embroiled in the biggest financial scandal in the history of the Malay race,” he added.

Yesterday, Najib when officiating at the Kota Tinggi Umno divisional meeting, launched a broadside against Bersatu.

He questioned how the upcoming party could champion the Malays if it was cooperating with DAP which, he said, Bersatu leaders themselves described as "anti-Malay" when they were in Umno.

“(Former prime minister) Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Muhyiddin had once attacked DAP as anti-Islam, anti-Malay, chauvinist.

“These words came out of their own mouths," he said.

DAP's Petaling Jaya MP Tony Pua today fired back, stating that it was those who stole public funds that were anti-Malays.

"DAP and its allies have worked diligently to expose the 1MDB issue so that the people know the real face of Najib as well as Umno-BN.

"This is why Najib and his supporters will continue to attack DAP as anti-Malay. They will mask reality to fool the people, defend their posts, avoid legal action and enjoy the perks that come with their positions," he said.