Sabah politicians who quit DAP and PKR to join state-based parties must convince the opposition that they have a good plan, said a DAP lawmaker.

"This realignment has to be based on principled stands, and not just about removing Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak alone," DAP national political education director Liew Chin Tong said.

He said other principles that should be agreed on include an end to dictatorial powers, and a government that benefits the people, not cronies.

Liew said this when asked to comment on the decision by several PKR and DAP leaders, including three assemblypersons and one MP, to quit and join state-based parties.

Penampang MP Darrell Leiking is joining a party to be led by former Umno vice-president Shafie Apdal, while Klias assemblyperson Lajim Ukin is forming his own Sabah party.

Liew said he understood that Sabahans were dissatisfied and wanted greater autonomy.

However, he said political realignments need not be made at the expense of DAP and PKR.

Likewise, he said new parties should not be formed to deepen the divide among Malaysians and to "break up the country."

Liew also said the seats they held were won as Pakatan Rakyat, and thus will still be served by DAP and PKR.

Asked whether Pakatan Harapan will work together with the new parties, he reiterated that they have some convincing to do.

"We'll wait to see what is their game plan. They have to convince us what's the best plan."