Sabah DAP chief Stephen Wong had unilaterally and erroneously announced that Sabah Pakatan Harapan came up with a "60:40" seat distribution formula. 

Sabah Pakatan Harapan chairperson Christina Liew said the so-called 60:40 formula was not discussed by Sabah Harapan leaders when they met on Tuesday night. 

"The 60:40 formula was not raised, discussed (nor had it) become a prerequisite in our seat negotiations with Warisan," Liew told Malaysiakini when contacted.

She said the Harapan parties only agreed to invite Parti Warisan Sabah president Mohd Shafie Apdal (photo)for a meeting on seat negotiations.

As for the seat distribution formula, Liew said this could only be decided during the meeting.

"I have not put anything (such as) a proposed formula (for seat negotiations) because you cannot come up with a formula until you meet on it," the Api-Api state assemblyperson added.

Yesterday, Wong, who is Sabah Harapan deputy head, told the press that Harapan had come up with the 60:40 formula and would be offering this to Warisan. 

The offer, according to him, was for Warisan to field candidates in 60 percent of the state seats while making way for Harapan in 60 percent of the parliamentary seats. 

Immediately after, Warisan deputy president Darrel Leiking (photo) expressed doubts whether Wong was truly speaking on behalf of Harapan.

Sabah is the only state where Harapan has yet to formalise seat negotiations.

When contacted, Sabah DAP secretary Chan Foong Hin told Malaysiakini that the 60:40 formula was a preliminary guideline and principle on seat negotiations with Warisan, which was subject to change.

"Harapan parties settled seat negotiations among themselves last year and we agreed that each party can negotiate with Warisan and other local parties if they decide to engage in seat negotiation talks with us," Chan said.

"My party chairperson made this remark when he was pursued by the journalists and this created some unnecessary misunderstanding," he admitted.

Without elaborating, Chan said he did not agree with Liew's statement.

"Sabah DAP is of the opinion that seat negotiations should be conducted through proper channels and any discussion should be conducted behind the scene and privately among our parties," he said.