SEREMBAN: The removal of the former Undang of Sungei Ujong and Undang of Jelebu, whose positions were in dispute, has been made official following a decree from Negeri Sembilan Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.
According to state gazettes dated Oct 23, Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) secretary Raja Norazli Raja Nordin stated the removals complied with Article 16(1) of the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959.
Raja Norazli, when contacted, verified the authenticity of the gazette notifications.
The first gazette stated that a special session of the DKU was formally notified of the decision by the Telaga Undang (customary electoral body) of Luak Sungei Ujong to dismiss its former Undang, Datuk Mubarak Dohak.
His removal, which was done in accordance with customary laws and the prescribed procedures, took effect on May 13 last year.
According to a separate gazette, the waris (heirs), anak buah (clan members), buapak (lineage heads), and Ibu Soko (matriarchs) of the ruling lineage of Luak Jelebu had also made a decision regarding the dismissal of Datuk Maarof Mat Rashad as Undang of Jelebu.
It said Maarof's dismissal, which fulfilled the requirement of absolute consensus (kebulatan muafakat), took effect May 31, 2023.
Similarly, the dismissal of the former Dato' Shahbandar of Sungei Ujong Datuk Seri Badarudin Abdul Khalid has also been gazetted.
His dismissal, which was also decided by absolute consensus by the clan heirs and Ibu Soko of Waris di-Ayer, took effect on July 30 this year.
The gazettes stated that all citizens and government officers in the state should take notice of the changes.
The appointments of the new Undang of Sungei Ujong and Undang of Rembau were also made official in separate state gazettes dated Oct 23.
The document said Datuk Muhammad Faris Johari was proclaimed and manifested as the Undang of Sungei Ujong after being elected by the customary heirs in Luak Sungai Ujong.
The DKU formalised his appointment on July 31.
The appointment of Datuk Hassan Ab Hamid as Undang of Rembau has also been gazetted after he was elected by the customary heirs of the luak.
Hassan's appointment also took effect July 31.
On April 19, Mubarak, Maarof, former Undang of Rembau Abdul Rahim Yasin and Undang of Johol Datuk Muhammed Abdullah had declared the removal of Tuanku Muhriz as state Ruler for alleged misconduct.
They were backed by the Tunku Besar of Tampin Tunku Syed Razman Tunku Syed Idrus Al-Qadri.
However, the administration of then Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun refused to recognise Tuanku Muhriz's removal.
On Aug 3, Aminuddin's successor Datuk Ismail Lasim signed a document affirming the April 19 proclamation by the four.
Although Ismail had initially said he was made to sign the document under duress, he had on Sept 15 said the state exco unanimously endorsed the document, which also recognised Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanlku Jaafar as the new state Ruler.
On Sept 20, Tuanku Muhriz removed the state's 10 exco members for violating their oath of loyalty and pledge of allegiance to him.
The 10 are now challenging this in court. - THE STAR