NEGERI Sembilan has a new Undang Luak Sungei Ujong after Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir formally accepted the proclamation of Muhammad Faris Johari as the 11th holder of the centuries-old customary post today.
“I am pleased to accept the proclamation of Muhammad Faris Johari as the 11th Undang Luak Sungei Ujong with the title Dato Klana Petra,” Tuanku Muhriz said during the ceremony at Istana Besar Seri Menanti.
Muhammad Faris was selected in accordance with the customary laws of Luak Sungei Ujong before being formally proclaimed and conferred the title of Dato Klana Petra.
In his royal address, Tuanku Muhriz welcomed the new Undang’s pledge of loyalty and expressed hope that Muhammad Faris would honour the commitments he had made in carrying out his responsibilities.
The ruler also reminded him to remain loyal to the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and to maintain close ties with the palace.
Tuanku Muhriz said the monarchy and Negri Sembilan’s customary institutions could only continue to thrive through mutual respect, trust and consensus, describing these values as essential to preserving the state’s adat heritage and safeguarding the people’s well-being.
He also urged the people across the state’s luaks to continue working closely with their customary leaders in managing adat affairs while strengthening unity and goodwill within their communities.
Present at the ceremony were Tunku Ampuan Besar of Negri Sembilan, Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud, Tunku Besar Seri Menanti, Tunku Ali Redhauddin, Tunku Panglima Besar Negri Sembilan Tunku Zain Al-Abidin and caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
Muhammad Faris, an accountant by profession, succeeds Datuk Klana Petra Datuk Mubarak Dohak after the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang endorsed the latter’s removal as the 10th Undang Luak Sungei Ujong.
Later, Tuanku Muhriz also formalised the installation of Hassan Ab Hamid, 67, as the 22nd Undang of Luak Rembau, with the title Datuk Sedia Raja.
Hassan, born on Jan 11, 1959, in Rembau and 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 Negeri Sembilan's governance system, which blends monarchy, adat and community consensus. - June 27, 2026
