Negeri Sembilan DKU declares April 19 document invalid

The Negeri Sembilan Justice and Law Council (DKU) has declared a document dated April 19 as unconstitutional, thereby invalidating the legal standing of three individuals linked to traditional chief positions. The council stated that the document contradicts Article X of the Negeri Sembilan State Constitution of 1959 and holds no legal effect.

According to a statement from the DKU secretary, Mubarak Thahak, Abdul Rahim Yasin, and Datuk Maarof Mat Rashad have either ceased to hold or never legally held the positions of Undang Luak Sungai Ujong, Undang Luak Rembau, and Undang Luak Jelebu, respectively. The council specified that the Undang Luak Sungai Ujong and Undang Luak Jelebu were dismissed according to their respective customary laws, while the appointment for Undang Luak Rembau was never properly executed according to custom or through the official "Istiadat Menzahirkan Kejadian Undang" ceremony.

Consequently, the DKU asserted that these three individuals lack the legal authority to exercise any functions or powers prescribed under Article X of the state constitution. In the same session, the DKU officially recognized the appointments of Datuk Klana Petra Muhammad Faris Johari as Undang Luak Sungai Ujong and Datuk Raja Hassan Ab. Hamid as Undang Luak Rembau. These appointments were confirmed after they underwent the "Istiadat Menzahirkan Kejadian Undang" ceremony on June 27.

The decisions were made during a DKU conference chaired by the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, on July 31. The Negeri Sembilan State Government has been directed to implement all decisions agreed upon by the council.