He said DAP should therefore focus on its strongholds in the urban constituencies, instead of contesting for rural seats at the next polls.

Shafie said his party had made inroads into rural Sabah populated by Kadazandusun Murut communities.

Shafie said Warisan could work together with DAP but that the peninsula-based party should not ask for too many seats or “too many cooks would spoil the broth”.

“DAP should take into account candidates from the other parties for the urban seats in the event of seat negotiations,” he told party members at an event in Tuaran.

“DAP should remember that Warisan too has Chinese candidates good for the urban areas. However, I think DAP should focus on the urban areas and leave out the rural ones.”

DAP recently expressed interest to contest in 12 constituencies including rural areas.

In the last elections, DAP won most urban and Chinese-majority seats, namely Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Sri Tanjong and Kapayan.

DAP is deemed to be less friendly to Warisan than its Pakatan Harapan partner, PKR.

Shafie, who is also Semporna MP, said Warisan is willing to work with PKR and Parti Cinta Sabah to defeat BN.

But Shafie said his party would not work with the four-party local opposition pact, Gabungan Sabah, saying he is familiar with its leaders.

Gabungan is made up of Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah, Sabah Progressive Party and Parti Perpaduan Rakyat Sabah.

Shafie Apdal: Warisan candidates for Sabah polls to be finalised soon