The Negeri Sembilan government has issued a formal directive for the official residence of the Sungai Ujong undang and the Balai Undang Sungai Ujong to be vacated with immediate effect.
The instruction was conveyed through a letter from a division secretary in the Negeri Sembilan state secretary’s office.
The letter was addressed to the private secretary of Mubarak Dohak, who has been identified as the former undang of Sungai Ujong.
This move follows a decision made during a special sitting of the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang on April 17.
The council resolved to remove Mubarak from his position as the chieftain for allegedly violating several customary practices and traditions.
Silence from official quarters
Despite the issuance of the vacation order, there has been no visible sign of movement at the official residence. Monitoring at the site confirmed that the premises remained occupied at the time of reporting.
State secretary Zafir Ibrahim has declined to provide any official confirmation regarding the contents of the letter. When contacted for a response, he stated that he could not offer any comments on the matter.
The eviction order coincides with a closed-door meeting held yesterday between other traditional leaders and chieftains at the Balai Undang Sungai Ujong.
These developments are occurring against a backdrop of significant shifts within the state’s royal and political hierarchies.
Background of the leadership dispute
The undangs of the four customary districts—Sungai Ujong, Jelebu, Johol, and Rembau—hold a pivotal role in the appointment and removal of the state’s Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
On April 19, Mubarak and three other chieftains held a press conference to announce the removal of Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
However, menteri besar Aminuddin Harun has clarified that the state government does not recognise this removal.
He noted that Mubarak himself had been lawfully removed from his position as undang on May 13 last year for contravening 33 customary laws.
The crisis has triggered a political fallout, with all 14 Umno assemblymen withdrawing their support for Aminuddin.
Negeri Sembilan Barisan Nasional has since claimed it holds a simple majority in the 36-seat assembly, supported by five Perikatan Nasional assemblymen, to form a new state government.
