SEREMBAN: Datuk Seri Mubarak Dohak and three Undang in Negri Sembilan have filed an originating summons at the High Court to compel the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) secretary to provide them a copy of the minutes of a special session which advised on Mubarak’s removal as Undang of Sungei Ujong.
Mubarak, Undang of Jelebu Datuk Maarof Mat Rashad, Undang of Johol Datuk Muhammed Abdullah and Undang of Rembau Datuk Abdul Rahim Yasin, and also the Tunku Besar Tampin Tunku Syed Razman Tunku Syed Idrus Al-Qadri and Datuk Shahbandar Sungei Ujong Datuk Seri Utama Badarudin Abdul Khalid, named DKU secretary Raja Norazli Raja Nordin as the first defendant.
The DKU, which is the highest authority governing matters related to the four Undang, and state government were named as the second and third defendants respectively.
The six claimed that as members of the DKU, they had the right to be furnished with the minutes of a special session held at Istana Besar Seri Menanti on April 17 and sought a declaration that the first and second defendants provide them with it within seven days.
They also sought a declaration that all decisions taken during the session be suspended until then.
On April 17, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun claimed Mubarak had himself been removed as Undang due to offences related to traditions and customary laws.
Earlier yesterday, 29-year-old accountant Muhammad Faris Johari (pic) was named the new Undang (ruling chief) of Sungei Ujong, replacing Mubarak.
But his appointment by the Majlis Dato’ Lembaga Adat Sungei Ujong, was disputed by evening by the Dato’-dato’ Lembaga Adat of Sungei Ujong.
The Dato’ Lembaga are heads of suku (clans) within a district (luak).
They act as the primary administrators of customary law, overseeing matters such as ancestral land, inheritance, and the welfare of clan members.
Muhammad Faris, who held the post of Waris Klana Hulu prior to this, was elected on April 22 during a ceremony held at Telaga Undang, a traditional venue for the Luak Sungei Ujong, where heirs and elders gather to deliberate on matters of custom and ceremonial laws.
It is not known why the appointment was made known on the Majlis Dato Lembaga Adat Sungei Ujong Facebook page only yesterday, almost two weeks after the ceremony.
The leaders who signed the statement – Waris Nan Tua Klana Hulu Orang Kaya Dato’ Laksamana Shaharumzaman Abdul Malek, Ibu Soko-Ibu Soko Klana Hulu and Waris-waris Klana Hulu – said the ceremony was done in line with customs and ceremonial laws.
According to the statement, the ceremony was witnessed by Ibu Soko Waris Negeri, Waris Negeri, Dato’ Lembaga Lingkungan, To’ Buapak Lingkungan and state government officials.
“The appointment was certified by Dato’ Andulika Mandalika Zainol Ariffin Ibrahim Tua Lembaga Waris di-Darat, who is recognised by the state government. The process was carried out without any interference from external parties and in accordance with Article 14(1) of the Laws of the Constitution of Negri Sembilan 1959,” they said.
Muhammad Faris, a graduate of Universiti Teknologi Mara, works at a multinational insurance and risk consulting firm.
The Dato’-dato’ Lembaga Adat of Sungei Ujong, who are disputing his appointment, claimed that the move was illegal as the Majlis Dato’ Lembaga Adat Sungei Ujong had nothing to do with Balai Undang Luak Sungei Ujong, the traditional administrative seat for the luak.
“The statement by Orang Kaya Dato’ Laksamana Shaharumzaman Abdul Malek 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 letter, Dato’ 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 (customs) in Luak Sungei Ujong, what more on the appointment of the new Undang,” they said.
They claimed that the DKU in an April 22, 2025, letter, had not certified the establishment of the Majlis Dato’ Lembaga Adat.
They said the legitimate Dato’ Andulika Mandulika in Luak Sungei Ujong was Sazali Mohamed Yasin, who was appointed on April 1. The declaration of a new Undang, they added, can only be made by the Dato’ Shahbandar Sungei Ujong.
