Jump to content

Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Yamtuan Besar)
This article is about the highest position in Negeri Sembilan. For the title itself, see Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan
Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan
يڠ دڤرتوان بسر نڬري سمبيلن‎
State
Royal Standard
Incumbent
Tuanku Muhriz,
Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan [a]
since 29 December 2008
Details
StyleHis Royal Highness (Malay: Duli Yang Maha Mulia)
First monarchRaja Melewar
Formation1773; 253 years ago (1773)
ResidenceIstana Besar, Seri Menanti
AppointerThe Council of Undang Yang Empat
The Yamtuan Besar's official headgear is a destar tied in the solek (style) of Dendam Tak Sudah, as depicted in this picture of the replica of it in Bukit Putus.

The Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan (Malay: Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan, lit. "He Who Is Made a Great Lord",[1][AI-retrieved source] Jawi: يڠ دڤرتوان بسر), also known as Yamtuan Besar (Jawi: يمتوان بسر), is the constitutional ruler of the Malaysian state of Negeri Sembilan.

Unlike other rulers of the Malay states, the Yang di-Pertuan Besar is elected rather than hereditary. The ruler is elected by a council of ruling chiefs in the state, known as the Undangs, a royal practice that has been followed since 1773. The Yang di-Pertuan Besar is selected from among the four leading princes of Negeri Sembilan (Putera Yang Empat). The Undangs themselves cannot stand for election and their choice is limited to a male, Muslim Malay who is a descendant of Raja Radin ibni Raja Lenggang", the 4th Yamtuan.

This unique form of government later inspired the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman to implement a form of rotational constitutional monarchy for a newly independent Federation of Malaya. Thus, the office of Yang di-Pertuan Agong was created.

Early history

[edit]
Tuanku Muhammad Shah (seated in the middle) with his personal attendants, 1897.

Negeri Sembilan has been receiving migrants from Sumatra for hundreds of years. Prior to the establishment of the Yamtuan Besar the area was ruled by the Sultan of Malacca. After Malacca was defeated by the Portuguese, it was ruled by the Sultanate of Johor.

Even during the 18th century, several groups of Minang people had expanded to the Malay Peninsula especially around the areas of Rembau, Naning and Sungai Ujong but retained strong links to their homeland in Sumatra. During this period, Rembau was under the nominal authority of Johor, until 1758 when it was ceded to the Dutch.[2]

By 1760, Johor appointed Daeng Kemboja to lead the nine state. However, his rule were not approved by the residence.[3] Johor then decided to allow the state to find a leader from the Minangkabau people in Sumatra. Between 1760 and 1770, a council of leaders known as the penghulu luak (the predecessor of the Undangs) left for Pagar Ruyung in Minangkabau in search of a leader. Popular belief holds that the legendary Raja Melewar was elected in 1773 as the first ruler of Negeri Sembilan.[2]

Part of Minangkabau

[edit]
Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Yang di-Pertuan Besar VIII of Negeri Sembilan -and- Yang di-Pertuan Agong I of Malaya.

Yamtuan Melewar

[edit]

The council of Sultan Malenggang Alam of Pagaruyung appointed his uncle, Raja Mahmud (Rajo Mangiang), to rule this new outpost of the Minangkabau region. Raja Mahmud was grandson of Sultan Alif II of Pagaruyung. He later became known as Raja Melewar upon ascension to Negeri Sembilan's throne.

Prior to Raja Melewar, the districts were separately vying for power against each other while a greater problem of interference, incursions and invasion loomed over them from Bugis controlled Johor and Selangor. All this amid the stream of pretenders claiming the throne, including Raja Kasah, Raja 'Adil and Raja Khatib.

Raja Melewar is credited with the successful unification the main districts and numerous outlying settlements into a cohesive political state now known as Negeri Sembilan.[4] He was installed as the first Yamtuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan at Penajis in Rembau with the endorsement of all the territorial chiefs.[5] He ruled as Yamtuan from 1773 until his death in 1795.

Yamtuan Hitam

[edit]

Following the death of Raja Melewar in 1795, the same council of leaders once again set out on a journey to Sumatra. By this time, Negeri Sembilan had risen in importance in the Minangkabau region. In 1795, the council of Sultan Muning Syah III of Pagaruyung appointed his uncle, Raja Hitam (Rajo Samik II), as Yamtuan Besar. Raja Hitam was son of Sultan Bagagar Syah I of Pagaruyung. Following the Minangkabau matrilineal tradition, Raja Hitam married Raja Melewar's daughter,[5] Tunku Aishah, but they had no children. As a diplomatic gesture, Raja Hitam also married the widow of the brother of Sultan Ibrahim of Selangor;[4] having four children, including a daughter, Tunku Ngah. He died in 1808.

Yamtuan Lenggang

[edit]

Once again in 1808, the leaders of Negeri Sembilan went to Minangkabau in search of someone to replace their leader. At this time, the Minangkabau Confederacy was in the middle of the Padri War against religious militant extremists promoting Wahhabism. The council of Sultan Bagagar Syah III (Sultan Tangkal Alam Bagagar & Muning Syah V) of Pagar Ruyung appointed his uncle, Raja (Ali) Lenggang Laut. Raja Lenggang was the son of Sultan Malenggang Alam of Pagaruyung. Yamtuan Lenggang established the royal residence at the town of Seri Menanti.[5] He married Raja Hitam's second daughter, Tunku Ngah. They had two sons: Tunku Nasiruddin and Tunku Ullin, who would later become the fourth and fifth Yamtuan Besar as Yamtuan Radin [ms] and Yamtuan Imam [ms]. Yamtuan Lenggang died in 1824.

End of the Dynasty in Minangkabau

[edit]

In 1824, the Undangs could not embark on a trip to meet the Raja of Pagaruyung because, the Pagaruyung dynasty had been destroyed during the Padri War. Dutch military forces took possession of Minangkabau territories in 1821. Thus, for the first time in its history, Negeri Sembilan would have its own hereditary leader to continue the Pagaruyung dynasty.

Late history

[edit]
Tuanku Munawir, Yang di-Pertuan Besar IX of Negeri Sembilan.

Late history covers the period of flux; after the fall of the Pagaruyung dynasty in west Sumatra and before the constitutional era.

Yamtuan Radin

[edit]

As the Pagaruyung Kingdom was in tatters in west Sumatra, Yamtuan Lenggang looked to continue the dynasty with what was left in Negeri Sembilan. He proposed his young son, Tunku Nasiruddin (Raja Radin/Raden), to be the next Yamtuan but the Undangs were hesitant.

After he died, there were five claimants to the throne:

  • Raja Kerjan (proxy for Sungai Ujong chief),
  • Raja Sati (Laboh) sent from Siak (also proxy for Sungai Ujong),
  • Raja Ali, nephew of Sultan Ibrahim of Selangor
  • Raja Radin
  • Raja Beringin, self-appointed guardian of Radin.

Raja Beringin was largely ignored; while Raja Sati bickered against his benefactor and was removed. In 1832, the Negri chiefs objected when Raja Ali declared himself Yamtuan and his son-in-law, Sayid Sha'ban as Yamtuan Muda. Ali and Sha'ban went to war with the Linggi chief and attempted the murder of the Undang of Rembau. The Negri chiefs abandoned their machinations, rallied around Raja Radin, elected him to the Seri Menanti throne and went to war against Ali and Sha'ban. Raja Ali was driven out; Sha'ban eventually became the Tunku Besar (chief) of Tampin; while Raja Kerjan was later killed by the Temenggong of Muar for stealing buffalo.[4]

With the appointment of Yamtuan Radin, the bloodline to the Minangkabau Pagaruyung dynasty remained unbroken. Yamtuan Radin ruled for 30 years before he died in 1861.[5]

Yamtuan Imam

[edit]

After the death of Yamtuan Radin, his son Tunku Antah was quite young and after some consternation among the Negri chiefs, they appointed the late Yamtuan's brother, Tunku Ullin as Yamtuan in 1861, reigning under the name Imam.[5][4] Yamtuan Imam ruled for eight years and died in 1869. He was begotten with five sons: Tunku Ahmad Tunggal, Tunku Jumaat, Tunku Ma'adin, Tunku Alim and Tunku Alam; and a daughter, Tunku Chindai.

Yamtuan Antah

[edit]

Upon the death of Yamtuan Imam, the two claimants to the throne were Tunku Antah, the son of Yamtuan Radin; and his cousin, Tunku Ahmad Tunggal, son of Yamtuan Imam. With no consensus forthcoming, Datuk Siamang Gagap elevated the queen dowager of Yamtuan Radin, Tunku Puan Intan as the Regent from 1869 to 1872.[6]

The Undang of Johol supported Tunku Antah; the Undang of Sungai Ujong was backing Tunku Ahmad Tunggal; the Undang of Jelebu was undecided with their own problems; the Undang of Rembau wanted their own independence.[4] After 3 years of wrangling, Tunku Antah was elected as Yamtuan in 1875.[5]

During this time, the British administration was attempting to obtain border treaties and commercial agreements with all the polities in the Malay Peninsula. The Undang of Sungai Ujong signed with the British but without any reference to the ruler nor the other Undangs. This eventually culminated into the 1876 Battle of Bukit Putus wherein the united forces of Negeri Sembilan attacked the British protecting Sungai Ujong. Yamtuan Antah's forces were eventually defeated by British infantry and artillery. Yamtuan Antah surrendered to the British in Johor and was demoted to "Yamtuan Seri Menanti" but he was still determined to obtain an equitable agreement for the entire state. At the urging of the Sultan of Johor, the Governor of the Straits Settlements agreed to reconcile the dispute between Sungai Ujong and the other districts. Suggestions to the British from the Undang of Sungai Ujong amongst others was the installation of a new Sultan (from Muar) and appointing Tunku Ahmad Tunggal as "Malay Captain" for all territories except Sungai Ujong. By 1877, every district and territory in Negeri Sembilan had separate agreements with the British which included arbitration by the Sultan of Johor; but this proved unworkable.[5] In 1887, witnessed by the British Governor of the Straits Settlements, a new agreement was signed by the chiefs of Johol, Ineh, Ulu Muar, Jempol, Terachi and Gunung Pasir. Through this agreement, they acknowledge and ratify Yamtuan Antah as Yamtuan Seri Menanti; the ruler of the Seri Menanti Confederacy.[4]

Yamtuan Antah died in 1888, a victim of a smallpox epidemic.[5]

Modern history

[edit]
Tuanku Ja'afar, Yang di-Pertuan Besar X of Negeri Sembilan -and- Yang di-Pertuan Agong X of Malaysia.

Tuanku Muhammad

[edit]

In 1888, the son of Yamtuan Antah, Tuanku Muhammad Shah took on the title of Tuanku at age 22 and acceded to the name and title of Yang di-Pertuan Besar of the Seri Menanti Confederacy. In 1889, under his reign, the districts of Rembau and Tampin joined the Confederacy to bear the historic name of the Nine States – Negeri Sembilan.[4]

With the final two districts admitted into the state, on 29 April 1898, he was installed as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan.[7] This marks the formal adoption of a State Constitution wherein the chiefs of territories of Jelebu, Johol, Sungai Ujong and Rembau were officially elevated to the status of Undang; and the Yamtuan would exercise control over the districts of Gunung Pasir, Ineh, Jempol, Terachi and Ulu Muar.[5] Tuanku Muhammad died in 1933 after a long reign as Yamtuan Besar, the longest in the history of the state.

Tuanku Abdul Rahman

[edit]

Tuanku Abdul Rahman, the son of Tuanku Muhammad, became the Yang di-Pertuan Besar in 1933.

In 1957, Tuanku Abdul Rahman was elected as the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaya.

His process of election by the Conference of Rulers, similar to that which elected him as Yamtuan Besar, would become the official process of election of all future Yang di-Pertuan Agong. During this time, his brother Tunku Laksamana Nasir was appointed regent. Tuanku Abdul Rahman died in 1960.

Tuanku Munawir

[edit]

Tuanku Abdul Rahman's son, Tuanku Munawir, ascended the throne in 1960 and ruled until 1967.

Tuanku Ja'afar

[edit]

When Tuanku Munawir died, his brother, Tuanku Ja'afar Tuanku Abdul Rahman, became the ruler of Negri Sembilan, by-passing Munawir's son Muhriz of Negeri Sembilan, who at 19 years of age was a minor. Tuanku Jaafar also served as the tenth Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia. During this period, Negeri Sembilan was ruled by the regent, Tunku Laxamana Tunku Naquiyuddin.

Tuanku Muhriz

[edit]

On the death of Tuanku Jaafar in 2008, the Undangs elected Tuanku Muhriz (eldest son of Tuanku Munawir and nephew of Tuanku Jaafar). His election was a return to the traditional (male-preference primogeniture) line of succession, Adat Temenggong [ms], as he had been bypassed in 1967 in favor of Tuanku Jaafar.

On 19 April 2026, the Undangs announced the removal of Tuanku Muhriz due to alleged misconduct and named Tunku Panglima of Negri Sembilan Tunku Nadzaruddin, the third son Tuanku Ja'afar, as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Besar at the Balai Undang Luak Sungei Ujong. However, the Negeri Sembilan state government rejected the declaration as Datuk Mubarak Dohak, who signed and read the declaration, had no authority as Undang of Sungei Ujong after he was removed from the position effective 13 May 2025 for violating syariah law and local custom.[8][9][10] On 5 June, Tunku Nadzaruddin was proclaimed as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Besar by Undang Luak Jelebu Maarof Mat Rashad, who represented the other three Undangs, at Park Royal A'Famosa Resort, Melaka. This came after a commotion at the Tuanku Besar Tampin official residence earlier on the same day, where the four Undangs were denied entry by the police but was later allowed in after Tunku Besar Tampin Syed Razman Syed Idrus instructed police to allow them to enter. The ceremony took place at the Park Royal A'Famosa Resort after police obstructed Tunku Nadzaruddin from leaving the resort to go to the Tuanku Besar Tampin official residence for the ceremony.[11][12] Immediately after, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that the federal government still recognises Tuanku Muhriz as the rightful Yang di-Pertuan Besar and that constitutional disputes must be resolved through lawful and established channels.[13] The Comptroller of the Royal Household later declared that the proclamation of Tunku Nadzaruddin as illegal and that his title of Tunku Panglima Besar has been relinquished for his attempt to accept an illegal title.[14]

Election of Yang di-Pertuan Besar

[edit]

Negeri Sembilan follows the Minangkabau tradition of selecting its ruler through a consensus of the noble chiefs.[citation needed] For Negeri Sembilan, the State Constitution assigns to the four Undangs (chiefs) the choice of successor of the Yamtuan; from the surviving male issue or close relatives . However, as per Palace protocol, four eligible titled-princes (Putera Yang Empat) are offered as candidates.[15]

Extract from "The Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan, 1959":[16]

Chapter 3: THE YANG DI-PERTUAN BESAR

VII. (1) There shall be a Yang di-Pertuan Besar of the State to exercise the functions and powers of a Ruler in accordance with this Constitution and who shall take precedence over all other persons in the State.

(2) The Yang di-Pertuan Besar shall be such person as shall be elected by the Undangs of the territories of Sungai Ujong, Jelebu, Johol and Rembau in the manner hereinafter provided and in accordance with the custom of the State.

(3) No person shall be elected as Yang di-Pertuan Besar of the State unless He shall be a male of the Malay race, of sound mind and professing the religion of the State, who is a lawfully-begotten descendant in the male line of Raja Radin ibni Raja Lenggang.

(4) Upon the death of a Yang di-Pertuan Besar, leaving male issue him surviving, the Undangs of the territories of Sungai Ujong, Jelebu, Johol and Rembau shall forthwith choose a successor from the said male issue:

Provided that if, in the opinion of the said Undangs, there is no suitable and competent person among the said male issue, then a person shall be chosen from the first of the following classes or failing, in their opinion any suitable and competent person in that class, then from the second and subsequent classes in the order stated, that is to say–
Firstly, the brothers of the deceased Yang di-Pertuan Besar;
Secondly, the paternal uncles of the deceased Yang di-Pertuan Besar;
Thirdly, the grandsons of the deceased Yang di-Pertuan Besar;
Fourthly, the sons of the brothers of the deceased Yang di-Pertuan Besar;
Fifthly, the sons of the paternal uncles of the deceased Yang di-Pertuan Besar.

In the 18th century, when the office of Yamtuan Besar was still in its infancy, it was the penghulu of Tanah Mengandung and not the Undang who were influential in the choice of the incumbent.[17]

List of Yamtuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan

[edit]

Pagaruyung Dynasty

[edit]

See also

[edit]

Explanatory notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The Undang Yang Empat did not recognize Tuanku Muhriz as the legitimate Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan since the 2026 Negeri Sembilan Consititutional Crisis, and installed Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja'afar as the new Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan. However, the installation was not recognized by both Federal and State Governments and Tuanku Muhriz continues to have de jure rule over Negeri Sembilan.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Admin, O. B. G. (2014-09-22). "- Asia 2014 - Oxford Business Group". oxfordbusinessgroup.com. Retrieved 2025-03-20.
  2. ^ a b Andaya, Barbara Watson (1982). A History of Malaysia. New York, USA: St. Martin's Press. pp. 94–95. ISBN 978-0-312-38120-2.
  3. ^ Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, Volumes 13-16. Singapore: Government Printing Office. 1884. p. 246.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Winstedt, R.O. (1933). Negri Sembilan: The History, Polity and Beliefs of the Nine States (JMBRAS v.11 ed.). Royal Asiatic Society - Malayan Branch. pp. 41–74.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i Radin, Tunku Halim (2018). Prince called "Charlie", a. Malaysia: M Parallax. pp. 13–22. ISBN 9789671651506.
  6. ^ Seng, Alan Teh Leam (2018-01-14). "Royal Lineage Of The Nine States | New Straits Times". NST Online. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
  7. ^ Birch, E.W. (1906). Election and Installation of Tungku Muhammad, C.M.G. Bin Tungku Antah, as the Yang Di Per Tuan Bĕsár, Negri Sembilan, the (JRASSB v.46 ed.). Malaya: Royal Asiatic Society - Straits Branch. pp. 9–22.
  8. ^ Singh, Sarban (17 April 2026). "Negri ruling council advises Sungei Ujong to accept removal of chieftain". The Star. Retrieved 20 April 2026.
  9. ^ Singh, Sarban (20 April 2026). "Negri govt refuses to recognise, accept declaration to remove state Ruler, says MB". The Star. Retrieved 20 April 2026.
  10. ^ Ismail, Saadiah (20 April 2026). "Declaration to remove Negri Sembilan ruler invalid, says Telaga Undang | New Straits Times". New Straits Times. Retrieved 20 April 2026.
  11. ^ "Tunku Nadzaruddin ditabal sebagai Yang di-Pertuan Besar". Malaysiakini. 2026-06-05. Retrieved 2026-06-05.
  12. ^ Mohd, Phung Yie Wen & Hariz (2026-06-05). "Kekecohan tercetus lepas polis halang Undang masuk kediaman Tunku Besar Tampin". Malaysiakini. Retrieved 2026-06-05.
  13. ^ Nan Azmie, Nan Hidayat (5 June 2026). "Putrajaya stands firmly behind Tuanku Muhriz, says Anwar". The Star. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  14. ^ Singh, Sarban (9 June 2026). "Negri royal row: Ceremony proclaiming Tunku Nadzaruddin as new Ruler declared illegal by royal comptroller". The Star. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  15. ^ Majlis Belia Negeri Sembilan (1990). Warisan DiRaja Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus. Majlis Belia Negeri Sembilan.
  16. ^ Negeri Sembilan, State Legal Adviser. "Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959, the" (PDF). Negeri Sembilan State Government. Percetakan Nasional Malaysia Bhd. Retrieved 2021-08-07.
  17. ^ Hooker, M.B. (1971). "The Early Adat Constitution of Negri Sembilan (1773-1824)". Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. 44 (1 (219)): 104–116. ISSN 0126-7353. JSTOR 41492380.

Further reading

[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yang_di-Pertuan_Besar_of_Negeri_Sembilan&oldid=1359575035"