Seremban:Adat Perpatih, a matrilineal customary law system mainly practiced in Negeri Sembilan, is set to be preserved and documented using digital technology, academic publications, and heritage education to ensure its continuity for future generations.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim highlighted that preserving this cultural heritage is not only the duty of customary institutions and museums but also requires the active participation of communities, educational institutions, and government agencies. He stressed the importance of documenting the customs, oral histories, and traditional practices to make them accessible through interactive exhibitions, thereby enhancing public understanding of this heritage.

Ismail described Adat Perpatih as more than inherited customs, highlighting its philosophical emphasis on consensus, consultation, justice, and shared responsibility. He made these remarks during the Perpatih Fest 2026, themed "Adat Dijaga, Warisan Terpelihara."

He further noted that customary leaders, educational institutions, and government agencies play crucial roles in ensuring the transmission of traditional knowledge and practices to future generations. Additionally, Ismail pointed out that Adat Perpatih and other cultural traditions have the potential to boost the state's economy by attracting tourists through traditional cuisine, performing arts, handicrafts, and local history.

In line with the Visit Negeri Sembilan Year 2026, the state government is committed to strengthening cultural heritage as a tourism product, creating economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs. The Perpatih Fest also included a delegation from Thailand interested in learning about Adat Perpatih, offering an opportunity to introduce the tradition to an international audience.

Running from today until November 1, the three-day Perpatih Fest features demonstrations of traditional luak customs, traditional games, museum and ethnic exhibitions, heritage cuisine, and cultural performances. The festival also hosts seminars, discussions, and forums on customary institutions and the cultural history of the Malay Archipelago, alongside traditional costume competitions and creative activities aimed at engaging younger generations with cultural heritage.