Negeri Sembilan to Install 22nd Undang of Rembau in Royal Ceremony This Saturday
KUALA PILAH: The installation ceremony for the 22nd Undang of Rembau will be held at Istana Besar Seri Menanti this Saturday following the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.
The announcement was conveyed by Tunku Besar Seri Menanti, Tunku Ali Redhauddin Tuanku Muhriz, during an audience with the Dato’-Dato’ Adat of Luak Rembau at the royal palace on Thursday.
According to the royal decree, the ceremonial audience and installation will begin at 2pm and will formally conclude the customary selection process for the new Undang of Rembau.
Tunku Ali said the selection of the successor had been carried out in accordance with the long-established customs and traditional practices observed in Luak Rembau.
He also conveyed Tuanku Muhriz’s royal consent for the ceremony to proceed, while instructing the customary leaders to coordinate preparations with the Orang Empat Istana to ensure all ceremonial arrangements are properly organised.
Earlier, the delegation of Dato’-Dato’ Adat presented a ceremonial betel set during the audience before the royal decree relating to the installation was announced.
The installation ceremony represents the final stage of appointing an Undang under Negeri Sembilan’s Adat Perpatih system, one of the state’s most significant customary institutions.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Kerapatan Buapak Lapan Kampung Waris Biduanda Nan Dua Carak, Datuk Zulkipli Shamsudin, said the Buapak and Ibu Soko council had unanimously selected retired teacher Hassan Ab. Hamid, 67, as the 22nd Undang of Rembau.
He stressed that the selection was made entirely through the customary decision-making process, while the Yang di-Pertuan Besar’s role is to formally complete the installation in accordance with established tradition.
Zulkipli also dismissed claims suggesting the ruler personally selected the new Undang, saying such assertions reflected a misunderstanding of Negeri Sembilan’s customary governance system.
He added that the customary council met twice before deciding on Kampung Tanjung as the hereditary line from which the new Undang would be appointed.
The position became vacant following the death of the previous holder, Datuk Lela Maharaja Muhamad Sharip Othman, on May 15, 2024, after an illness associated with old age.
Under Negeri Sembilan’s Adat Perpatih system, an Undang is selected from eligible candidates belonging to the Biduanda clan, the original indigenous clan that forms the foundation of the state’s traditional leadership structure.
