NEGERI Sembilan has gazetted the removal of Mubarak Thahak as Undang of Sungei Ujong and recognised Muhammad Faris Johari as his successor.
The gazettes, dated Oct 23, also record the dismissal of Datuk Maarof Mat Rashad as Undang of Jelebu and Datuk Seri Badarudin Abdul Khalid as Syahbandar of Sungei Ujong.
The gazettes were signed by the secretary of the Negeri Sembilan Council of Justice and Customary Chiefs (Dewan Keadilan dan Undang, DKU) and formally published.
According to the documents, Mubarak’s removal took effect on May 13, 2025, while Maarof’s dismissal as Undang of Jelebu took effect on May 31, 2023.
Badarudin’s removal as Syahbandar of Sungei Ujong was also gazetted.
The position traditionally serves as a counterweight to the Undang within the luak, or customary territory, of Sungei Ujong.
The documents state that the dismissals were made in accordance with decisions reached by customary leaders in their respective territories.
They also formally recognise Hasan Ab Hamid as Undang of Rembau, replacing Datuk Abdul Rahim Yasin, whose position has been disputed by the DKU.
The council has maintained that Abdul Rahim’s proclamation as Undang of Rembau was never formalised according to the proper customary procedures.
Faris’ recognition as Undang of Sungei Ujong and Hasan’s appointment in Rembau further alter the line-up of customary chiefs amid the dispute over the state’s leadership.
Mubarak and his allies have been seeking to remove Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir from the throne and replace him with Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar, the ruler’s cousin.
They have sought to invoke provisions of the state constitution in support of the move.
The latest gazettes end those efforts, although their legal effect and the state government’s position on the documents remain unclear.
Last month, the Negeri Sembilan State Secretary gazetted the dismissal of all members of the state executive council (exco) after Tuanku Muhriz withdrew his consent to their appointments.
The move followed the exco members’ support for the faction aligned with Tunku Nadzaruddin.
The former exco members have challenged the dismissals in court, arguing that the state constitution requires the Yang di-Pertuan Besar to act on the advice of the Menteri Besar. - October 28, 2026
