KUALA PILAH: The Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, has formalised the installation of two new Undang (ruling chieftains) in separate ceremonies at Istana Besar Seri Menanti, underscoring the continued importance of adat and consensus in the state’s governance structure.
In the morning ceremony, Muhammad Faris Johari, 28, was formalised as the 11th Undang of Luak Sungei Ujong, bearing the title Datuk Klana Petra, while in the afternoon, Hassan Ab Hamid, 67, was installed as the 22nd Undang of Luak Rembau, with the title Datuk Sedia Raja.
The morning ceremony yesterday began with the Orang Empat Istana seeking royal consent to commence proceedings, before the newly appointed Sungei Ujong Undang paid homage and pledged allegiance to the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
In His Royal Highness’ royal address, Tuanku Muhriz expressed hope that the pledges made will always be upheld with sincerity, integrity and a strong sense of responsibility, Bernama reported.
“I remind my Orang Kaya (chieftains) to remain loyal to the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan and to maintain a close and respectful relationship with me and the Palace,” the Ruler said during the installation ceremony.
Also in attendance were Tunku Ampuan Besar of Negri Sembilan Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud, Tunku Besar Seri Menanti Tunku Ali Redhauddin Tuanku Muhriz and Tunku Panglima Besar Tunku Zain Al-’Abidin.
The ceremony was also witnessed by caretaker Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun and heads of state government departments.
Tuanku Muhriz said relationships founded on mutual respect, trust and consensus are essential to preserving the constitutional monarchy, safeguarding customary traditions and ensuring the state’s continued well-being.
The Ruler also called on the people to work closely with the customary leadership while continuing to uphold and preserve the values of adat perpatih practised in the state and passed down through generations.
Born on Oct 30, 1997, Muhammad Faris holds a bachelor’s degree in accountancy from Universiti Teknologi Mara and obtained his professional qualification through the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants programme in 2022.
He is married to Sharifah Amirah Syed Ismail Ash-Shahab.
The afternoon ceremony continued with the formalisation of Hassan as the new Undang of Luak Rembau.
Earlier, Hassan and his wife Asmah Yaakob were escorted to the palace in a procession of about 300 people, accompanied by a kompang ensemble, before the Orang Empat Istana presented ceremonial offerings to seek royal consent to begin the ceremony.
The new Rembau Undang then paid homage and pledged allegiance to the Ruler.
In His Royal Highness’ royal address, Tuanku Muhriz described the appointment as a significant trust arising from adat consensus, which must be carried out with sincerity, wisdom and responsibility to safeguard tradition and ensure the welfare of the people in Rembau.
The Ruler said any disputes should be managed with wisdom, diplomacy and a spirit of consensus.
Hassan, born on Jan 11, 1959 in Rembau and hails from the Biduanda Sedia Raja clan of Kampung Tanjung, is a retired teacher.
He began his career in 1984 and later served in several schools before retiring in 2017 as senior assistant for student affairs at SK Astana Raja.
The ceremonies reflect the enduring role of traditional institutions in Negri Sembilan’s governance system, which blends monarchy, adat and community consensus.
