Opposition parties Keadilan and DAP have both voiced their interest to contest in the Gaya by-election, dashing hopes for a straight fight as neither seems to want to make way for the other.

Keadilan's president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail ( photo ) today reconfirmed Christina Liew as the party's candidate in the coming by-election.

Speaking to reporters after the Barisan Alternatif (BA) presidential council meeting, she said BA was unanimous in naming Liew as she has had experience in contesting in the state.

"We want a one-to-one fight. We urge all the opposition parties to [help us] succeed our goal," she said.

PAS acting chief Abdul Hadi Awang who was also at the meeting reiterated PAS' support for Keadilan in the by-election.

He was responding to a question that a PAS division in Sabah had expressed its interest to field its own candidate though the party's central committee has said it will not do so.

'Big disappointment'

When asked if Keadilan will come to a compromise with DAP to ensure a straight fight between the opposition and ruling coalition for the parliamentary seat, Wan Azizah said the party was always open to suggestions.

"The communication is still going on," she said, but did not reveal any details.

She later told malaysiakini that all preparations such as the election machinery and operations centre in Sabah have been completed.

The party will focus on mostly local issues in the by-election campaign to make it more attractive to the electorate, she said.

Meanwhile, DAP secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock ( photo ) has called Keadilan's decision to contest the Gaya seat "a big disappointment" to his party.

"I feel sad and can only say we'll have to enter into a three-cornered fight.

"But if we really fight, it will be better for us to focus the fight against Barisan Nasional, rather than among us," he said.

On the possibility of further negotiation between the two opposition parties, he said DAP's communication channel is always open, but insisted it was not of much use if Keadilan was bent on contesting for the seat.

"I can always say I am open to everyone, but if I still insist on placing my candidate, there is no point," he said.

Nomination

The Likas parliamentary seat fell vacant when the Federal Court on Sept 3 rejected former Sabah chief minister Yong Teck Lee's appeal against the Election Court's decision which found him guilty of breaching the Election Offences Act during the 1999 state election.

This disqualifies him as the member of Parliament for Gaya. He was forced to vacate the Likas state seat as well.

The Election Commission then decided that a by-election be called for the Gaya seat with the nomination day set for Oct 3 and polling on Oct 12.

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

BN has yet to name its candidate for Gaya.