KUALA LUMPUR – The ongoing adat and constitutional dispute in Negeri Sembilan deepened today with the formal proclamation of retired civil servant Abd Rahman Limat as the 11th Datuk Klana Petra Undang Luak Sungei Ujong.
The ceremony, held at Telapak Tua Kampung Chedang, Rasah, marked a new chapter in the contested succession following last week’s appointment of accountant Muhammad Faris Johari to the same post, local media reported.
The father of six said his appointment had the approval of the Ibu Soko, Buapak, and Tiang Balai Perut Waris Hulu.
The ceremony, which commenced at 2.45pm, began with a welcoming speech by the Buapak Perut Waris Hulu, followed by the signing of the instrument of appointment.
Abd Rahman, 70, who holds a Lower Certificate of Education, belongs to the Suku Biduanda Waris Klana and serves as Datuk Juan Waris Perut in Hulu Luak Sungei Ujong. He is also reported to have submitted his candidacy for the Undang Luak Sungei Ujong post on November 13, 2004.
Last week, accountant Muhammad Faris Johari, 29, was reported to have been appointed as the 11th Undang Luak Sungei Ujong, succeeding Datuk Mubarak Dohak.
Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, in a statement on 20 April, clarified that Mubarak’s action in signing and announcing the deposition of Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as Yang di-Pertuan Besar was “not acceptable or recognised.”
He explained, “This is because Mubarak no longer has the authority and function as Undang Luak Sungei Ujong, and it is not in accordance with Articles 10 to 12 of the Undang-Udang Tubuh Kerajaan Negeri Sembilan (UUTKNS) 1959.
“Mubarak’s removal as holder of the Datuk Klana Petra title of Luak Sungei Ujong was carried out according to the lineage and customs of the Telaga Undang, Waris Klana Hulu, Sungei Ujong since 13 May 2025. The Special Session of the Council of Justice and Undang (DKU) on 17 April agreed to advise and accept the consensus of the Telaga Undang, Waris Klana Hulu, Luak Sungei Ujong, who removed Mubarak as holder of the Datuk Klana Petra title of Luak Sungei Ujong in accordance with Clause 14(3) of the Negeri Sembilan Constitution,” he added.
Following Mubarak’s removal, Waris Nan Tua Klana Hulu, together with Ibu Soko-Ibu Soko Klana Hulu and Waris-Waris Klana Hulu, appointed Muhammad Faris Johari in a Telaga Undang ceremony on 22 April. The selection was based on Clause 27 of Teromba and the Negeri Sungei Ujong lineage records of 1910, as well as the adat principle of “patah tumbuh” outlined in Clause 5 of the Sungei Ujong customary laws.
The appointment was subsequently validated by Datuk Andulika Mandalika Zainol Ariffin Ibrahim Tua Lembaga Waris di-Darat, whose authority is recognised by the Negeri Sembilan government.
The dual appointments have intensified the ongoing debate over the rightful holder of the Undang Luak Sungei Ujong title, highlighting the complexity of adat succession and the role of historical lineage in contemporary Negeri Sembilan politics. – May 10, 2026