SEREMBAN: Negri Sembilan's Council of Customary Chieftains (Datuk-Datuk Lembaga Adat Sungei Ujong) claim that Muhammad Faris Johari's appointment as the new Undang Luak (chieftain) of Sungei Ujong is invalid and a violation of the state's customary laws.
The council, in a statement today, said that the appointment of an Undang Luak Sungei Ujong requires the unanimous consent of all Ibu Soko (matriarchal clan leaders) of both the Waris Klana Hulu and Waris Klana Hilir lineages, as well as the unanimous approval of all legitimate Datuk-Datuk Lembaga Adat Sungei Ujong.
The statement added that the official declaration must also be made by the Datuk Shahbandar of Sungei Ujong.
"In the matter of Muhammad Faris's appointment, there was no unanimous consent from the Ibu Soko of the Klana Hulu and Klana Hilir lineages, nor was there any approval from the legitimate Datuk-Datuk Lembaga Adat within Luak Sungei Ujong," the council said.
The statement further clarified that Shaharumzaman Abdul Malek—who was identified in earlier reports as the Orang Kaya Datuk Laksamana—was dismissed from his position on March 20, 2026.
The dismissal letter was received by the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) on March 30, 2026.
Consequently, the council said that Shaharumzaman no longer holds any standing to determine customary rules within Luak Sungei Ujong, much less the power to appoint an Undang.
The council added that Zainol Ariffin Ibrahim, referred to as the Datuk Andulika Mandulika Tua Lembaga Waris di-Darat who reportedly confirmed the appointment, was dismissed on Nov 28, 2024.
The DKU confirmed this dismissal in a letter dated Dec 2, 2024.
The statement said that the legitimate Datuk Andulika Mandulika Sungei Ujong is Sazali Mohamed Yasin, who was appointed on April 1, 2025, with an official confirmation letter from the DKU dated April 11, 2025.
"We reiterate that we, the Datuk-Datuk Lembaga Adat Sungei Ujong, pledge our full loyalty to Datuk Klana Petra Mubarak Dohak as the legitimate Undang Luak Sungei Ujong to this day.
"We advise everyone to refer matters regarding Luak Sungei Ujong directly to the legitimate Datuk-Datuk Lembaga Adat Sungei Ujong to avoid confusion," the council said, adding that dismissed individuals have no authority over customary matters.
The council also noted that the establishment of the "Council of Datuk Lembaga Adat Sungei Ujong" involved in the disputed appointment has no link to the Balai Undang Luak Sungei Ujong (The Undang's Official Hall) and was formed without the knowledge of the Undang.
"Referring to the DKU letter dated April 22, 2025, this specific council has no recognition from the Negri Sembilan Dewan Keadilan dan Undang," the statement added.
It was earlier reported today that accountant Faris, 29, had been appointed as the new Undang of Sungei Ujong.
The announcement was made in a statement by Waris Nan Tua Klana Hulu Orang Kaya Datuk Laksamana Shaharumzaman Abdul Malek, the Ibu Soko of Klana Hulu, and the Waris Klana Hulu, posted on the Majlis Dato Lembaga Adat Sungei Ujong Facebook page.
He claimed the appointment followed a traditional ceremony at Telaga Undang and was chosen by consensus by the Waris Nan Tua Klana Hulu alongside the Ibu Soko and heirs of the Klana Hulu lineage.
Shaharumzaman Abdul Malek (referred to as Orang Kaya Datuk Laksamana) claimed the ceremony was carried out under customary laws on April 22. - NST
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