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A CONSTITUTIONAL and customary dispute has intensified in Negeri Sembilan after a move to depose the state ruler was declared invalid by the state government, which said the individual behind the action no longer held any recognised authority.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said a proclamation signed and read by Datuk Mubarak Dohak seeking to remove Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir could not be accepted or recognised.
He said this was because Mubarak had already been dismissed and no longer possessed the powers or functions of the Undang of Sungei Ujong, rendering his actions inconsistent with Articles 10 to 12 of the state constitution, the Undang-Undang Tubuh Kerajaan Negeri Sembilan 1959.
According to Aminuddin, Mubarak’s removal as the hereditary holder of the Datuk Klana Petra title for Luak Sungei Ujong took effect on May 13, 2025, in accordance with the customs and lineage of the Telaga Undang and Waris Klana Hulu.
He added that a special sitting of the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang Negeri Sembilan on April 17 had agreed to advise and endorse the decision by the customary authorities to dismiss Mubarak as the 10th holder of the title, citing 33 offences related to customary (adat) and hereditary obligations under Clause 14(3) of the state constitution.
“I wish to inform that the function of the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang Negeri Sembilan is to act as an advisory body on matters relating to Malay customs, including the appointment and removal of the four Undang Luak as provided under Article 16 of the state constitution.
“This includes matters concerning the removal of an Undang Luak from holding hereditary office in accordance with the customs of the respective luak under Clause 14(3) of the state constitution,” he said.
Aminuddin noted that similar steps had precedent, citing the dismissal of the 14th Undang of Johol, Datuk Mohammad Jan Abdul Ghani, in 2016 over breaches of customary obligations.
The latest development follows a special sitting held at Istana Besar Seri Menanti in Kuala Pilah, chaired by Tuanku Muhriz, where the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang formally accepted Mubarak’s removal.
During that session, the ruler invoked Clause 24 of the state constitution to invite representatives of the Ibu Soko Klana Hulu and Waris Klana Hulu to participate in proceedings.
The rejected proclamation on Sunday, delivered at Balai Undang Luak Sungei Ujong, has further complicated an already sensitive intersection of constitutional law and long-standing adat practices in the state. - April 20, 2026
