‘Give him your vote’: Deputy Premier Uggah hints John Ilus will defend Bukit Semuja seat

Uggah and John (left) at the Bukit Semuja Gawai Dayak 2026 celebration at Kampung Riih Daso in Serian on June 8, 2026.

By Doreen Ling

KUCHING, June 9: Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas has hinted that Bukit Semuja assemblyman John Ilus will defend his seat in the upcoming Sarawak election.

Speaking during the Bukit Semuja Gawai Dayak 2026 celebration at Kampung Riih Daso in Serian on Monday (June 8), he said that John has brought much development to the constituency.

“If we want to eat noodles here, it is difficult to find parking—what does that mean? It means the people and the economy have improved, and you must thank YB John Ilus, who has worked hard to develop this constituency. Here I also see a new administrative centre and the Serian Conference Centre,” he said.

“Kamek jealous ya (I’m jealous). We in Betong, our hall is small. I was telling the Premier (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg) to please make Betong the same as Serian,” he quipped.

He said he was also told by the Public Works Department (JKR) that under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), there are five projects costing above RM160 million slotted, which means the constituency is developing rapidly.

He said that Bukit Semuja is fortunate, recalling that every time he passes by Serian, almost every time he would notice some sort of development going on.

“This means that the area is developing rapidly, so congratulations to the people of Bukit Semuja,” he said.

Uggah, who is also the minister in charge of the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor), said that John has always contacted him regarding projects, and to date, has secured 85 projects for the constituency with an allocation of RM11.3 million.

“To the people of Bukit Semuja, you have an active elected representative. He may be young, but he doesn’t play around and is very hardworking—you are very lucky.

“So, when the time comes later, please continue to (show your) support, and give him your vote,” he said.

In the 2021 Sarawak election, John retained his seat with a high majority of 6,113 votes, accounting for 41 per cent of the total votes.

He beat out Elsie Tinggang of Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), who secured 1,408 votes, Brolin Nicholson of Democratic Action Party (DAP) with 777 votes, and Edward Andrew Luwak of Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK), who managed 427 votes. — DayakDaily