FOR Bukit Semuja assemblyman, John Ilus, the DUN sitting is filled with moments that range from amusing to deeply reflective.
His earliest memory, a bewildering first day in the chamber back in 2015 still makes him smile, while his time outside politics is spent grounding himself in simple routines.
If not attending the sitting, John said he would prefer to be at his farm, where checking on fish ponds and durian trees offers him a peaceful escape from the demands of public office.
Sarawak Tribune: What is the funniest moment in the DUN that you still remember?
John Ilus: My funniest memory goes back to 2015, when the new chamber was first used. I had never been to the DUN before, never experienced the sitting. On the second-last day of the sitting before the election, the Resident asked me to attend on his behalf.
He talked about the hansard and all kinds of procedures – things I was totally unfamiliar with. When I arrived, I honestly didn’t know what was happening, so I just followed the crowd. I even asked for the hansard on behalf of the Resident and sat in his seat.
To me, it was funny because it was all so new. After that, I was chosen as a candidate, which is how I eventually ended up here. For someone who had never stepped into the chamber, it was quite an experience.
Sarawak Tribune: What is your go-to food when you are stressed during sitting week?
John Ilus: I usually go for something simple – quick Maggi. I always bring a cup of Maggi to the hotel. If I suddenly feel hungry at 4:00 am, that’s what I eat.
Sarawak Tribune: Who do you enjoy sitting next to in the chamber? Do you have a “buddy” in the DUN?
John Ilus: Yes, I do. I’ve always sat next to my friend YB Awla Dris, who was also my schoolmate. I enjoy sitting beside him because we are neighbours – Simunjan and Serian. He always makes jokes and pantun during the sitting, which makes the long hours more bearable.
Sarawak Tribune: What is one small thing about an ADUN’s work that people outside usually don’t know?
John Ilus: People don’t realise how seriously we think about what we want to deliver. Some think we’re just “playing around”, but the responsibility is heavy, and at times it can be frustrating.
I get emotional when people say things like that. We genuinely want to do what is good for the people, but they don’t always see how challenging the work is behind the scenes.
At the end of the day, an ADUN is also a human being. We feel what the people feel. Whether we live in the kampung or in town, we are ordinary people too. Yes, we make mistakes, but we always come back to God, praying for guidance.
I just hope people understand that being a YB is not easy. We constantly think, “What’s next? What needs to be solved after this?” People judge us from the outside, but they don’t always see the struggles on the inside.
