A DISPUTE over the future of the Jelebu chieftaincy deepened on Friday after the luak’s customary leaders challenged the legality of a special Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) meeting convened to hear complaints involving the Undang Luak Jelebu.
The Datuk-Datuk Lembaga Luak Jelebu claimed the meeting, scheduled for 4 pm, was invalid and any decision arising from it would have no legal standing.
Representing the Dato-Dato Lembaga Delapan and Ibu-Ibu Soko, Dato’ Menteri Sah Mangku Alam Raja Sari Mohamad Azmi Abdul Aziz said the notice calling for the meeting was issued on July 30 and only delivered to the Undang Luak Johol and Tengku Besar Tampin late Thursday.
He claimed the 16th Undang Luak Jelebu, Datuk Mendika Menteri Akhir Zaman Datuk Ma’ruf Mak Rasad, was not invited to the proceedings despite the meeting allegedly being linked to complaints against him.
Mohamad Azmi said the complaints could pave the way for a recommendation to remove Ma’ruf from his position, claiming the meeting was expected to advise that such a move be accepted.
The Jelebu leaders also alleged that individuals previously removed as Ibu Soko and Buapak would be called to testify against Ma’ruf during the meeting.
They claimed the move mirrored the process used during a special DKU meeting on April 17, which resulted in the removal of the Undang Luak Sungai Ujong.
Another issue raised was the composition of the meeting itself.
Mohamad Azmi claimed the attendance of newly appointed Undang for Luak Sungai Ujong and Luak Rembau — whose positions have yet to be formally endorsed by DKU — could affect the required quorum under Article 17 of the Negeri Sembilan Constitution 1959.
He argued that any meeting held without a valid quorum would breach Article 20 of the state constitution.
“Any decision made by the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang would be unconstitutional, carry no legal effect and cannot be enforced by the Negeri Sembilan government,” he said.
The leaders also questioned whether the caretaker state government had the authority to make major decisions ahead of the state election, saying such matters should only be decided after a new administration is formed.
They further cited a June 5 Seremban High Court injunction, which they claimed prevented the four Undang, Tengku Besar Tampin and Datuk Syahbandar Sungai Ujong from exercising their roles as DKU members.
The group maintained that Ma’ruf remains the legitimate Undang Luak Jelebu and said any decision regarding his position must come from the recognised customary authorities of the luak. – July 31, 2026
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