KUALA PILAH: Disputes over royal succession in Negeri Sembilan must be resolved in accordance with adat or customary law and legal provisions, rather than personal interests.
Negri Sembilan Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir said the authority of the royal institution must be upheld through integrity, justice and responsibility, warning that actions contrary to established customs could undermine public confidence and threaten the state's stability.
He said said Adat Perpatih and the law formed the foundation of the position of the Ruler and succession to the throne in Negri Sembilan, while adat institutions, including the Undang Yang Empat, Lembaga, Ibu Soko, Buapak and Anak Buah, represented an important heritage passed down through generations to preserve traditions and maintain stability.
"Those who, over the past several months, have taken actions that sparked disputes over succession rules 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 could also destabilise the state and erode public trust," he said in his royal address at the installation ceremony of Datuk Azrin Khairi as the 17th Undang of Jelebu at Istana Besar Seri Menanti here.
The ceremony was also attended by Tunku Ampuan Besar Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud, Tunku Besar Seri Menanti Tunku Ali Redhauddin Tuanku Muhriz and Tunku Panglima Besar Tunku Zain Al-'Abidin.
State Secretary Datuk Mohd Zafir Ibrahim and heads of state government departments were in attendance.
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 a great trust and responsibility. The trust of the people, in turn, is an essential foundation for ensuring that this institution continues to be respected and preserved.
"As the Malay proverb says, Raja adil raja disembah, raja zalim raja disanggah (a just ruler is revered, a tyrannical ruler is opposed); justice and integrity must always be the foundation of leadership.
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.
He said adat is not merely a heritage to take pride in, but a trust that must be preserved and defended with full responsibility.
"Indeed, the future and stability of Negeri Sembilan depend on the readiness of all of us to respect adat, to obey the law, and to place the interests of the state above personal interest, for the sake of generations to come," he said.
His Royal Highness concluded by expressing hope that Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus continues to be at peace and prosperous, with its institution of monarchy, its adat heritage and the unity of its people always preserved. — BERNAMA
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