"Adat" is a beautiful word, but in the modern halls of power in Negeri Sembilan, it is starting to smell like a convenient excuse.
For centuries, the four Undang have been touted as the "Lawgivers"—the sacred guardians of the Adat Perpatih and the kingmakers of the state.
But as we move deeper into an era that demands transparency and results, a quiet but potent question is beginning to circulate: Has the spirit of tradition been traded for the comfort of the "gravy train"?
The Education Gap: Merit vs Manoeuvring
There is a glaring, uncomfortable irony currently playing out in the state. On one side of the palace gates, we have a Royal House that has evolved.
We see a reform-minded Ruler and a younger generation of princes and princesses who aren’t just figureheads—they are incredibly highly educated, globally aware, and intellectually equipped to lead.
They didn't just inherit their status; they earned their credentials at the world’s top institutions.
Then, you have the Undang.
While the Royal House leans into meritocracy and modernisation, the Undang appears to be doubling down on a version of tradition that allegedly serves exactly one purpose: self-preservation.
It is a clash of two worlds—one that wants to drag the state into the 21st century, and another that is terrified that "reform" might likely mean an end to their exclusive access.
Greed in a Ceremonial Sarong?
The defenders of the status quo love to wrap themselves in the flag of "protecting culture" whenever someone asks for accountability.
But let’s be honest: there is nothing "traditional" about prioritising board seats, land premiums, and state-linked perks over the welfare of the Anak Buah (the people).
We are witnessing a system where the "benefits" of the office have likely outweighed the "spirit" of the duty.
When the Undang use their traditional weight to bottleneck a progressive Ruler, they aren't protecting the soul of Negeri Sembilan.
It seems to the public that they are protecting their slice of the state budget. It seems like greed, plain and simple, dressed up in ceremonial finery.
A State Held Hostage
It is a genuine tragedy to have such high-calibre talent within the Royal lineage—people who actually understand global economics and modern governance—only to have their hands allegedly tied by a council that views "transparency" as a threat to their personal influence.
The Undang were originally designed to be a check on power, a democratic pulse within a royal system.
But that pulse has seemingly flatlined into a private club for the elite. You cannot claim to be a "traditional leader" while your primary focus is on keeping the gravy train on the tracks.
The Breaking Point
Tradition only survives if it stays relevant. If the Undang continue to prioritise the "personal interests" over the "vanguard," they will eventually find themselves standing in a museum rather than a palace.
The people of Negeri Sembilan deserve a leadership that values the future of the state more than the perks of the position.
It’s time to stop pretending that every move made by the Undang is in the name of tradition.
Sometimes, it’s just about who gets to stay at the table while the rest of the state waits for the crumbs.
Are the Undang guarding our heritage, or are they just guarding the door to their interests? – April 23, 2026
The Mouse That Roared
