Keadilan tonight named its Sabah's deputy head, Christina Liew as the party's candidate for the Gaya by-election.

With Keadilan's decision, the Gaya by-election is now expected to be at least a three-cornered fight as the DAP has also confirmed its intention to contest.

Earlier today, DAP has expressed the hope that the Gaya by-election will be a straight fight, referring to fellow opposition party Keadilan's widely publicised desire to go for the seat as well.

Keadilan vice president Azmin Ali told malaysiakini that the party's supreme council meeting today agreed that the party should contest Gaya and named Liew as the candidate. The five-hour meeting was chaired by party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

The choice of Liew was not a surprise as she has been widely tipped to be the party's flag bearer in Gaya since the by-election was announced.

Most influential

"With the absence of Parti Bersatu Sabah [in the opposition], Keadilan is the most influential opposition party in Sabah," Azmin claimed.

On Liew's candidacy, Azmin said the decision was made after taking into account the request from its Sabah committee. He added that Liew would stand a better chance as she is well known locally, having contested in previous elections in Likas.

DAP secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock told reporters at the Parliament lobby that his party has also confirmed its decision to contest Gaya.

He said he has conveyed the decision to Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail this morning and was hoping for a straight fight with the Barisan Nasional.