Jelebu Undang seeks court declaration to enforce appointment as 17th ruling chief

 

SEREMBAN: The Undang of Jelebu Datuk Azrin Khairi filed an application at the High Court here seeking a declaration to enforce his appointment as the 17th ruling chief of the territory.

Azrin, in his originating summons, said his appointment was carried out upon the advice of the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang and formalised by state ruler Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.

He named his predecessor, Datuk Maarof Mat Rashad, as the sole respondent.

In his application, Azrin is seeking a court declaration that he is the legitimate 17th Undang Luak Jelebu, bearing the title Yang Teramat Mulia Dato' Mendika Menteri Akhirulzaman.

According to court documents, Azrin's appointment was formalised by the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, on Oct 14, endorsed by the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang on Nov 4, and subsequently gazetted in the state government gazette on Nov 11.

He is also seeking a declaration that Maarof had been dismissed from the office and title of the 16th Undang Luak Jelebu effective May 31, 2023.

His dismissal was gazetted in the state government gazette on Oct 23.

Consequently, Azrin contends that Maarof has no right to use the titles "Undang Luak Jelebu", "Dato' Mendika Menteri Akhirulzaman", or "Yang Teramat Mulia", nor to exercise any functions of the customary office.

Azrin is further applying for a permanent injunction to restrain Maarof, his agents, or representatives from using the titles, appointing or dismissing customary titleholders (pemegang pesaka), issuing official documents, or using the Balai Undang Luak Jelebu in Kuala Klawang.

The injunction specifically seeks to bar Maarof from holding or attending a scheduled customary event, the "Majlis Pengukuhan Adat & Pemegang Pesaka Luak Jelebu", slated for Sunday (Nov 15) at 2.30pm at the Balai Undang Luak Jelebu.

In addition, Azrin is seeking a mandatory injunction under Section 53 of the Specific Relief Act 1950 compelling Maarof to remove and retract all posters, social media posts, and statements portraying himself as the Undang Luak Jelebu within seven days of the order.

During proceedings on Friday, Judge Roz Mawar Rozain ruled that there were no strong grounds to grant an ad-interim order and directed that the application be heard inter-parte, ordering the notice of application to be served on Maarof.

The court fixed Dec 17 for the hearing of both the originating summons and the interim injunction application via Zoom. - Star