Royal dispute deepens as another Sg Ujong clan claims territory chieftain post

 

The royal dispute in Negeri Sembilan has taken another twist as a group of Sungai Ujong nobles appointed yet another individual as the territory's new chieftain to replace Mubarak Thahak.

The territory's Perut Waris Hulu lineage reportedly proclaimed Abd Rahman Limat, a 70-year-old retired civil servant, as the 11th Undang Luak (territory chieftain) for Sungai Ujong in a ceremony held in Rasah yesterday afternoon.

He is the second person named as Mubarak's successor in less than a week, after the Sungai Ujong's Klana Hulu heirs named accountant Faris Johari as the 11th Undang Luak.

According to the New Straits Times, Rahman is from the Biduanda Waris Klana clan and reportedly received endorsement from the Perut Waris Hulu's leaders - including its Ibu Soko (female elder), Buapak, and Tiang Balai.

Meanwhile, Mubarak's office, when contacted, rejected Rahman's appointment.

Hanafi Ruzlan, the private secretary to the disputed chieftain, claimed the proclamation was made without the approval of the territory's Dato' Lembaga Adat and its Waris Hilir's elders.

Mubarak Thahak (second from left)

"The Dato' Lembaga they invited (for the ceremony) was also not recognised by the Council of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and the Ruling Chiefs' (Dewan Keadilan dan Undang).

"Thus, the appointment was invalid. Also, according to the customary process, such a proclamation must be done by the Dato' Shahbandar," he said.

Ongoing dispute

Last week, traditional leaders from the Klana Hulu lineage in Sungai Ujong appointed Faris as the territory’s new undang.

This was supposedly the group that was aligned to the disputed Telaga Undang of Sungai Ujong, Sarifah Norzaidah Al-Qadri and two other nobles, who had earlier “sacked” Mubarak from his position.

However, Mubarak's office claimed the trio no longer holds any authority to make such a decision, as they have already been relieved from their status. - Mkini