DAP today confirmed its intention to contest in the Gaya by-election in Sabah but is hoping that it will be a straight fight, referring to fellow opposition party Keadilan's widely publicised desire to go for the seat as well.

DAP secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock told reporters at the Parliament lobby that he conveyed the decision to Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail this morning.

He said a three-corned contest should be avoided in order to pave the way for an opposition victory for the parliamentary seat.

Asked what would happen if Keadilan insisted on contesting, Kerk replied: "Everything depends on the development".

"We know Keadilan's interest to contest in this by-election is very strong. Although we are not in the Barisan Alternatif anymore, we can still discuss this matter," he said.

DAP quit the opposition front last September after a fallout with PAS over the latter's ambition to set up an Islamic state should it come into power.

On the choice of candidate, Kerk said the party will announce the name before Oct 3 the nomination day.

Keadilan to negotiate

In a related development, Wan Azizah told reporters later at the same venue that Keadilan will negotiate with DAP on finding a single opposition candidate.

She also revealed that the party supreme council will decide on its candidate later today.

Since Keadilan announced its decision to contest, there has been speculation that the party will field its Sabah deputy chief, Christina Liew.

Liew contested against Gaya incumbent former Sabah chief minister Yong Teck Lee for the Likas state assembly seat by-election last year.

The Likas by-election was called after Yong was found guilty of breaching the Election Offences Act during the 1999 state election.

Following this, the Kota Kinabalu High Court granted a stay of execution, allowing the incumbent to contest and subsequently win the seat again.

However, on Sept 3, the Federal court rejected his appeal against the election court's verdict.

This led to Yong being disqualified as the member of Parliament for Gaya and was forced to vacate the Likas seat as well.

The former Sabah chief minister then filed for a royal pardon, which is still pending. Despite this, the Election Commission decided that a by-election should be called for the Gaya seat.

A by-election was not called for the Likas seat since the state election will be held in less than two years.

High profile

Meanwhile, Wan Azizah said Keadilan was prepared to contest for the seat and had its machinery geared up while Yong's case was still pending.

She said the party is currently reviewing a report on the constituency submitted yesterday by its Sabah division.

"For sure, the Sabah division knows more than us. We are now assessing the report (on details) like candidates, actual political scenario, chances of winning, percentage of voters and how we can attract these voters," she said.

The by-election is viewed as a 'high profile' contest since the victorious party will possess a constituency right in the heart of Sabah's capital, Kota Kinabalu.

Barisan Nasional has yet to name its candidate but Yong, who is also president of the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), wants the candidate to be from his party.