SEREMBAN: The Sungei Ujong datuk-datuk Lembaga Adat are disputing the appointment of Muhammad Faris Johari as the 11th Undang (ruling chief).
They claimed that Faris' appointment, announced by the Majlis Datuk Lembaga Adat Sungei Ujong, was illegal as the council had nothing to do with Balai Undang Luak Sungei Ujong, the traditional administrative seat for the luak (major district).
"The statement by Orang Kaya Datuk Laksamana Shaharumzaman Abdul Malek on the new appointment does not carry any weight as he himself had been sacked on March 26 and the letter was received by the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) four days later.
"The other individual named in the appointment letter, Datuk Andulika Mandulika Tua Lembaga Waris di-Darat Zainol Ariffin, who supposedly certified the appointment, was also sacked on Nov 28, 2024, and as such, he too has no authority to determine the rules of adat (customary laws) in Luak Sungei Ujong, what more on the appointment of the new Undang," they said in a statement on Tuesday (May 5).
ALSO READ: New Undang named for Sungei Ujong
The DKU is the highest authority governing matters related to the four Undang of Negri Sembilan.
They claimed that the DKU, in an April 22, 2025, letter, had not certified the establishment of the Majlis Datuk Lembaga Adat.
The group also said the legitimate Datuk Andulika Mandulika in Luak Sungei Ujong was Sazali Mohamed Yasin who was appointed on April 1, 2026.
"The DKU also issued a letter on this on April 11.
"As such, the appointment of Faris is illegal as far as the adat of Sungei Ujong is concerned," they said.
The declaration on the appointment of a new Undang, they said, can only be made by the Datuk Shahbandar Sungei Ujong.
This also needs the unanimous support of the legitimate Datuk-datuk Lembaga Adat and Ibu Soko.
"We, the Datuk-datuk Lembaga Adat, hereby declare our loyalty to Datuk Mubarak Dohak as the Undang of Sungei Ujong.
"It is our hope that all matters related to Luak Sungei Ujong are referred to us to prevent any confusion," they said.
Earlier on Monday (May 4), the Majlis Datuk Lembaga Adat announced the appointment of 29-year-old accountant Faris as the new ruling chief.
The council said Faris, who held the post of Waris Klana Hulu prior to this, was elected on April 22.
It is not known why the new appointment was only made known on Monday, almost two weeks after the ceremony.
According to the statement, the ceremony was carried out strictly in accordance with adat and ceremonial laws.
Also present were Ibu Soko Klana Hilir and Waris Klana Hilir.
All these titles under Adat Perpatih belong to the council of elders in the luak.
According to the statement, the ceremony was witnessed by Ibu Soko Waris Negeri, Waris Negeri, Datuk Lembaga Lingkungan, To' Buapak Lingkungan and state government officials.
Negri Sembilan has four Undang who hold influential positions in the state's Adat Perpatih system.
This includes the authority to elect the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan.
Apart from the Undang of Sungei Ujong, the other three ruling chiefs are Undang Jelebu, Undang Johol and Undang Rembau.
Known as the Undang Yang Empat, the four chieftains made headlines when they called for the removal of Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir on April 19.
This sent out shockwaves and the situation became even more contentious when it emerged that Mubarak was removed as the Undang of Sungei Ujong on May 13, 2025.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said in a statement on April 17 that the DKU, which was chaired by the state Ruler, was given 33 reasons why Mubarak should be removed.
However, all four Undang have since disputed Aminuddin's claim.
