Undang
Encyclopedia
An Undang is a ruling chief or territorial chief who still play an important role in the state of Negeri Sembilan
, Malaysia. The name is believed to be derived from the Malay
word undang-undang meaning law.
Traditionally, the Minangkabau who settled at Negeri Sembilan
, in present day Malaysia at the end of the 17th Century choose from amongst themselves a "penghulu" or headman. Several of these "penghulus", notably that of Sungai Ujong, Jelebu
, Johol
and Rembau
became powerful enough to exalt themselves above other "penghulus". By the early part of the 18th Century, the leaders of these four districts started calling themselves "Undang".
Malaysia's modern day constitution confirms the status of the Undang under Article 181. Undangs are still chosen from amongst certain noble families in the state, the succession being both matrilineal and elective following the Adat Purbakala.
is elected among the four noble houses, Waris Jelebu, Waris Ulu Jelebu, Waris Sarin and Waris Kemin. Undangs of Johol are a succession of members of a single family in the female line. The son of the eldest sister of the incumbent is usually the heir. The Undang of Rembau alternates between the two major noble houses in the Luak, namely the Waris Jakun (who inherit the title Dato' Lela Maharaja) and the Waris Jawa (Dato' Sedia di-Raja). As with the undangs of Johol, the son of the eldest sister of the incumbent is the heir in the family.
The senior wife of an Undang has the honorific title of "To' Puan".
who is Malay and also a "lawfully begotten descendant of Raja Radin ibni Raja Lenggang".
Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan, one of the 13 states that constitutes Malaysia, lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, just south of Kuala Lumpur and borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the south....
, Malaysia. The name is believed to be derived from the Malay
Malay language
Malay is a major language of the Austronesian family. It is the official language of Malaysia , Indonesia , Brunei and Singapore...
word undang-undang meaning law.
Traditionally, the Minangkabau who settled at Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan, one of the 13 states that constitutes Malaysia, lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, just south of Kuala Lumpur and borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the south....
, in present day Malaysia at the end of the 17th Century choose from amongst themselves a "penghulu" or headman. Several of these "penghulus", notably that of Sungai Ujong, Jelebu
Jelebu
Jelebu is second largest districts in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia after Jempol, consisting more than 40,000 in population. Jelebu borders with the Seremban district, Jempol district, Kuala Pilah district, Pahang and Selangor...
, Johol
Johol
Johol is a small town in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. The reigning Undang Luak of Johol is HAJI MOHD JAN BIN ABDUL GHANI .-External links:...
and Rembau
Rembau
Rembau is a town within a district that shares the same name that is located in the state of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. With a population of 40,000 people the district is a stronghold of the matrilineal system known as adat perpatih, a customary practice inherited from the Minangkabaus, of...
became powerful enough to exalt themselves above other "penghulus". By the early part of the 18th Century, the leaders of these four districts started calling themselves "Undang".
Malaysia's modern day constitution confirms the status of the Undang under Article 181. Undangs are still chosen from amongst certain noble families in the state, the succession being both matrilineal and elective following the Adat Purbakala.
Inheritance and Titles
Chieftains are selected among the nobility in each Luak, following matrilineal inheritance, part of the state's adat perpatih customs. The Undang of Sungai Ujong is chosen among the Waris Hulu and Waris Hilir families, and inherits the title Dato' Kelana Petra Seri Jaya. The Undang of JelebuJelebu
Jelebu is second largest districts in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia after Jempol, consisting more than 40,000 in population. Jelebu borders with the Seremban district, Jempol district, Kuala Pilah district, Pahang and Selangor...
is elected among the four noble houses, Waris Jelebu, Waris Ulu Jelebu, Waris Sarin and Waris Kemin. Undangs of Johol are a succession of members of a single family in the female line. The son of the eldest sister of the incumbent is usually the heir. The Undang of Rembau alternates between the two major noble houses in the Luak, namely the Waris Jakun (who inherit the title Dato' Lela Maharaja) and the Waris Jawa (Dato' Sedia di-Raja). As with the undangs of Johol, the son of the eldest sister of the incumbent is the heir in the family.
| Luak | Title | Undang | Reign since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sungai Ujong | Dato' Kelana Petra Seri Jaya | Dato' Shah Bandar Dato' Shah Bandar Y.T.M. Dato' Haji Mubarak bin Dohak, formally known as Dato' Shah Bandar, DTNS , is the 16th and current Dato' Klana Petra Sri Jaya of Luak Sungai Ujong, one of the traditional states of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. He was installed on 29 December 1993... |
1993 |
| Jelebu Jelebu Jelebu is second largest districts in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia after Jempol, consisting more than 40,000 in population. Jelebu borders with the Seremban district, Jempol district, Kuala Pilah district, Pahang and Selangor... |
Dato' Mendelika Mentri Akhir ul-Zaman | Dato’ Haji Musa Abdul Wahab Musa bin Wahab Y.T.M. Dato' Mendika Menteri Akhir ul-Zaman Dato' Haji Musa bin Wahab, DTNS, PJK is the 15th and current Undang of Luak Jelebu, one of the traditional states of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. He was elected as udang on 4 February 1980 and installed 20 November 1981 according to the customs of the state... |
1983 |
| Johol Johol Johol is a small town in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. The reigning Undang Luak of Johol is HAJI MOHD JAN BIN ABDUL GHANI .-External links:... |
Dato' Johan Pahlawan Lela Perkasa Setiawan | Dato' Muhammad Abdul Ghani Mohammad Jan bin Abdul Ghani Y.A.M. Dato' Haji Mohammad Jan bin Abdul Ghani , Dato' Johan Pahlawan Lela Perkasa Setiawan, is the 14th and current Undang of Luak Johol, one of the traditional states of Negeri Sembilan in Malaysia.... |
2007 |
| Rembau Rembau Rembau is a town within a district that shares the same name that is located in the state of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. With a population of 40,000 people the district is a stronghold of the matrilineal system known as adat perpatih, a customary practice inherited from the Minangkabaus, of... |
Dato' Lela Maharaja or Dato' Sedia di-Raja |
Dato' Muhammad Sharif Othman Muhammad Sharif Othman Y.T.M. Haji Dato' Muhammad bin Sharif Othman, DTNS, 11th Dato' Lela Maharaja , is the 21st and current Undang of Luak Rembau.... |
1999 |
The senior wife of an Undang has the honorific title of "To' Puan".
Duties
Though now only symbolically powerful, the Undangs still carry out duties such as attending the state opening of the legislative assembly and electing the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, who is the head of state. The Undangs themselves cannot stand for election and their choice of ruler is limited to a male MuslimMuslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
who is Malay and also a "lawfully begotten descendant of Raja Radin ibni Raja Lenggang".