Tuanku Muhriz officially proclaims Azrin Khairi as 17th undang Luak Jelebu

 The Pahang Telekom Malaysia senior general manager succeeds Maarof Mat Rashad, who was removed as a chieftain effective May 31, 2023.

Negeri Sembilan Yang Dipertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir proclaiming Azrin Khairi as the 17th undang of Luak Jelebu at Istana Besar Seri Menanti, witnessed by members of the royal family. (Information department pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Negeri Sembilan Yang Dipertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir today officially proclaimed Azrin Khairi as the 17th undang of Luak Jelebu at a ceremony held at Istana Besar Seri Menanti.

The ceremony was attended by the Tunku Ampuan Besar Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud, and members of the royal family, including Tunku Besar Seri Menanti Tunku Ali Redhauddin Tuanku Muhriz and Tunku Panglima Besar Tunku Zain Al-Abidin Tuanku Muhriz.

Also present was Negeri Sembilan state secretary Zafir Ibrahim.

Menteri besar Ismail Lasim was absent, Sinar Harian reported.

Azrin, 51, succeeds Maarof Mat Rashad, who was removed as a chieftain effective May 31, 2023.

It was reported on Aug 29 that the Pahang Telekom Malaysia senior general manager was appointed and proclaimed as the 17th undang of Luak Jelebu.

On Monday, it was reported that Tuanku Muhriz had decided not to attend the Conference of Rulers meeting, which starts today, as he wanted to focus on issues in Negeri Sembilan, particularly the matter involving the undang of Luak Jelebu.

Bernama later reported that Tuanku Muhriz, in his royal address at the ceremony, said disputes over royal succession in the state must be resolved in accordance with adat (customary law) and the law, rather than personal interests.

He stressed that the royal institution’s authority must be upheld through integrity, justice and responsibility, warning that violating established customs could undermine public confidence and threaten the state’s stability.

Tuanku Muhriz said Adat Perpatih and the law formed the foundation of the ruler’s position and succession to the state’s throne. He said adat institutions, including the Undang Yang Empat, Lembaga, Ibu Soko, Buapak and Anak Buah, were an important heritage passed down through generations to preserve tradition and maintain stability.

“Those who, over the past several months, have taken actions that sparked disputes over rules of succession in the name of defending adat must understand that adat cannot be defended by violating its own rules.

“Such actions not only risk undermining the authority of customary institutions and the palace but also risk destabilising the state and eroding public trust,” he said.

Tuanku Muhriz said the authority of the institution of the ruler depends on respect for adat, the supremacy of the constitution and the rule of law.

“The high and noble position of the ruler comes with great trust and responsibility. Public trust, in turn, is essential to ensuring that this institution continues to be respected and preserved,” he said.

Tuanku Muhriz urged all parties to learn from history and not allow personal interests to override truth and justice at the expense of the state’s security, well-being and longstanding heritage. - FMT