“Just a family discussion”: Four Undang meet at Balai Luak Sungei Ujong

SEREMBAN - “Just a family discussion.”

That was the brief response from the Undang of Luak Johol, Johan Pahlawan Lela Perkasa Setiawan Datuk Muhammad Abdullah, to reporters after he was seen leaving Balai Luak Sungei Ujong in Ampangan here.

It is understood that he, together with three other Undang — Datuk Klana Petra Datuk Mubarak Dohak (Sungei Ujong), Datuk Mendika Menteri Akhirulzaman Datuk Maarof Mat Rashad (Jelebu) and Datuk Sedia Raja Abdul Rahim Yasin (Rembau) — held a meeting believed to discuss the ongoing adat (customary) and constitutional issues currently unfolding.

Also present were Tunku Syed Razman Tunku Syed Idrus Al Qadri (Tunku Besar Tampin) and Datuk Syahbandar Sungei Ujong, Datuk Baharudin Abdul Khalid.

All were seen arriving at around 3.30 pm, while the first vehicle to leave the location, at about 6 pm, was that of the Undang of Jelebu.

This was followed by the vehicle of Datuk Syahbandar, then Tunku Besar Tampin, and the Undang of Luak Johol.

Previously, the media reported that Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun stressed that the action taken by Mubarak in signing and reading a proclamation to depose the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, cannot be accepted or recognised.

He explained that Mubarak no longer holds the authority or function as the Undang of Luak Sungei Ujong and that the action is not in line with Articles 10 to 12 of the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan.

The episode involving the Negeri Sembilan royal institution began when the Waris of Luak Sungei Ujong issued a statement dated March 18, announcing that Mubarak had been stripped of his position as the 10th Datuk Klana Petra Undang of Luak Sungei Ujong after allegedly violating Islamic law and adat.

The statement was issued by the Head of Lembaga Waris di-Darat, Datuk Andulika Mandalika Zainol Ariffin Ibrahim, after obtaining consent and agreement from Ibu Soko Klana Hulu and Anak.

However, in an official statement released by the Adat Council leaders of Sungei Ujong on April 18, they clarified their unanimous stance of pledging loyalty to Mubarak.

They further stated that the March 18 statement issued by Zainol Ariffin is invalid from the adat perspective, as he had already been dismissed on November 28, 2024.

The statement also explained that the appointment or removal of a Datuk Undang must strictly follow the customs of the respective luak, in line with the Constitution of the State of Negeri Sembilan 1959, Clause 14 (1 and 3).

As such, external parties with no vested interest have been urged not to interfere in the adat affairs of Sungei Ujong.