KUALA LUMPUR — The Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, officiated the installation of two new Undangs in separate ceremonies held at Istana Besar Seri Menanti today, reinforcing the enduring role of adat and consensus within the state’s unique governance system.
In the morning session, Muhammad Faris Johari, 28, was installed as the 11th Undang of Luak Sungei Ujong, carrying the title Datuk Klana Petra. In the afternoon, Hassan Ab Hamid, 67, was formally installed as the 22nd Undang of Luak Rembau with the title Datuk Sedia Raja, Bernama reported.
The morning ceremony began with the Orang Empat Istana seeking royal consent to commence proceedings, before the newly installed Sungei Ujong Undang paid homage and pledged allegiance to the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
In his royal address, Tuanku Muhriz expressed hope that the commitments made would be carried out with sincerity, integrity and full responsibility.
“I remind my Orang Kaya (chieftains) to remain loyal to the institution of the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan and to maintain a close and respectful relationship with me and the Palace,” the ruler said during the installation ceremony.
Also present were Tunku Ampuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud, Tunku Besar Seri Menanti Tunku Ali Redhauddin Tuanku Muhriz, and Tunku Panglima Besar Tunku Zain Al-‘Abidin Tuanku Muhriz.
The ceremonies were also attended by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun along with senior state government officials.
Tuanku Muhriz further emphasised that relationships built on mutual respect, trust and consensus are vital in preserving the constitutional monarchy, safeguarding adat traditions and ensuring the well-being of the state.
He also urged the public to work closely with customary leaders in fulfilling their responsibilities while continuing to uphold Adat Perpatih, which has been practised and passed down through generations.
Born on October 30, 1997, Muhammad Faris holds a bachelor’s degree in accountancy from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and completed his professional qualification under the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) programme in 2022. He is married to Sharifah Amirah Syed Ismail Ash-Shahab.
The afternoon ceremony saw Hassan and his wife, Asmah Yaakob, escorted to the palace in a procession of about 300 people, accompanied by kompang, before the Orang Empat Istana presented ceremonial offerings seeking royal consent to begin proceedings.
Hassan then paid homage and pledged allegiance to the ruler upon his installation as Undang of Rembau.
In his address, Tuanku Muhriz described the appointment as a significant trust derived from adat consensus, which must be carried out with sincerity, wisdom and responsibility to safeguard tradition and the welfare of the people in Rembau.
He added that any disputes should be resolved with wisdom, diplomacy and a spirit of consensus.
Hassan, born on January 11, 1959, in Rembau, belongs to the Biduanda Sedia Raja clan of Kampung Tanjung. A retired teacher, he began his career in 1984, serving in several schools before retiring in 2017 as Senior Assistant for Student Affairs at SK Astana Raja.
The installations highlight the continuing relevance of Negeri Sembilan’s traditional leadership structure, which blends monarchy, adat and community consensus within its governance framework. – June 27, 2026