LOCAL ISSUES COST BN SIBU SEAT.

from BERNAMA, The Malaysian National News Agency SIBU, May 18 (Bernama) -- Barisan Nasional's failure to retain its stronghold in Sibu in Sunday's by-election in the parliamentary constituency may be surprising for outsiders but not for locals who had made up their minds much earlier and showed their displeasure by casting their votes against the BN.

Many Sibuans had not been happy with certain local political leaders whom they felt had been ineffective in addressing their woes and powerless to resolve longstanding issues.

They were clearly unhappy over the declining economic situation in this riverine town which serves as a gateway to a vast hinterland and has led to more and more people having to search for employment elsewhere in other cities and …