POLITICAL SYSTEMS IN ADAT PERPATIH

Election Process

The Yang di-Pertuan Besar is appointed by Undang Yang Empat, also known as the Ruling Chiefs. As stated in the State Constitution, the Yang di-Pertuan Besar has to be a lawful descendant in the male line of Yamtuan Raden.

The Negri Sembilan Constitution states that the order of succession should first be the sons of the previous ruler, followed by the grandsons of the previous ruler, then by the brothers of the previous ruler, and only then by the sons of the brothers of the previous ruler.

Once appointed, the Yang di-Pertuan Besar has to be declared and installed by the Datuk Klana Petra – the title given to the chief of Sungai Ujong district (Undang Luak Sungai Ujong). Among the chiefs from the four territories in the state – Sungai Ujong, Jelebu, Johol and Rembau – the Sungai Ujong chief is the most senior and is also known as the chieftain.

While the Datuk Klana Petra does not have the power to make appointments, but he is the only one with authority to make declarations and installation of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.

Sungai Ujong is divided into two clans namely, Waris Di Darat and Waris Di Ayer. The chieftain, who hails from Waris Di Darat, is required to work closely with Datuk Shahbandar, who hails from Waris Di Ayer. The Datuk Shahbandar’s relationship to the chieftain is supposed to be "as close as brothers" and they are required to consult each other on all matters regarding the Perpatih customs.

However, there is only one chieftain and it is the Datuk Klana Petra who holds the post. Meanwhile, the Waris Di Darat clan is divided into two sub-clans, Perut Hulu and Perut Hilir. A representative from each of the two sub-clans take turns to be the Datuk Klana Petra or chieftain of Sungai Ujong.

The election of the Datuk Klana Petra, begins with the anak waris or members of the clan who would decide on a suitable candidate. Upon receiving unanimous support from all members of the clan, the candidate would be reviewed by Ibu-ibu soko, who are the eldest females of the families in the clan.

Once the eldest females have unanimously agreed upon the candidate, the Buapaks would also need to give unanimous support.

The next step in the election process would be to get the endorsement of the Pillar of the Court (Lembaga Sungai Ujong) which is headed by the Datuk Sri Maharaja Di Raja.

In the case that there is a dispute and members of the clan cannot agree on a suitable candidate, the matter would be brought up to the next level (Ibu-ibu soko) to be decided. This continues up the hierarchy ladder until it reaches the level of the Pillar of the Court. It will then be up to the head of the Pillar of the Court to choose a suitable candidate.

Members of the sub-clans are only allowed to elect representatives of their own sub-clans and are not allowed to meddle in the affairs of the other sub-clans. The same rule applies to the bigger clans (Waris Di Darat and Waris Di Ayer) and the territories at large (Jelebu, Johol and Rembau).