Kuala lumpur: The Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, formalised the installation of two new Undangs, or ruling chieftains, in separate ceremonies at Istana Besar Seri Menanti. This event underscored the importance of adat (customary law) and consensus in the governance of the state.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the morning ceremony witnessed Muhammad Faris Johari, aged 28, being officially installed as the 11th Undang of Luak Sungei Ujong, with the title Datuk Klana Petra. In the afternoon, Hassan Ab Hamid, 67, was formalised as the 22nd Undang of Luak Rembau, taking on the title Datuk Sedia Raja.
The morning proceedings commenced with the Orang Empat Istana seeking royal consent to begin, followed by the newly appointed Sungei Ujong Undang paying homage and pledging allegiance to the Yang di-Pertuan Besar. During his address, Tuanku Muhriz emphasized the importance of sincerity, integrity, and responsibility in upholding the pledges made. He urged the chieftains to remain loyal and maintain a respectful relationship with the institution of the Yang Dipertuan Besar and the Palace.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Tunku Ampuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud, Tunku Besar Seri Menanti Tunku Ali Redhauddin Tuanku Muhriz, and Tunku Panglima Besar Tunku Zain Al-'Abidin, as well as Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun and heads of state government departments.
Tuanku Muhriz highlighted that relationships built on mutual respect, trust, and consensus are vital for preserving the constitutional monarchy, safeguarding customs, and ensuring the state's well-being. He also called upon the people to collaborate with the traditional leadership to uphold the values of Adat Perpatih, a system passed down through generations.
Muhammad Faris, born on October 30, 1997, holds a bachelor's degree in accountancy from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and is a certified professional through the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) programme. He is married to Sharifah Amirah Syed Ismail Ash-Shahab.
The afternoon saw the installation of Hassan as the new Undang of Luak Rembau. Prior to the ceremony, Hassan and his wife, Asmah Yaakob, participated in a procession to the palace, attended by approximately 300 people and accompanied by traditional kompang percussion. The Orang Empat Istana presented ceremonial offerings to seek royal consent for the ceremony's commencement, followed by Hassan pledging allegiance to the ruler.
In his address, Tuanku Muhriz described the appointment as a significant trust derived from adat consensus, emphasizing the need for sincerity, wisdom, and responsibility to protect tradition and ensure the welfare of Rembau's people. He advised that disputes should be resolved with wisdom and consensus.
Hassan, born on January 11, 1959, in Rembau, hails from the Biduanda Sedia Raja clan of Kampung Tanjung. A retired teacher, he began his career in 1984 and concluded it in 2017 as Senior Assistant for Student Affairs at SK Astana Raja.
The ceremonies highlight the enduring significance of traditional institutions in Negeri Sembilan's governance, which integrates monarchy, adat, and community consensus.