Undang Luak in Adat Perpatih

I am continuing my write-up about Adat Perpatih in my home state of Negeri Sembilan this time by focussing on the Undang Luak of which there are four, viz; Sungei Ujong (now Seremban), Jelebu, Rembau, and Johol.
As the saying goes;
              Alam beraja ( The state has a ruler)
              Luak berpenghulu (Undang) (the district has a territorial chief)
              Suku berlembaga ( the clan has a clan chief )
              Anak buah berbuapak ( the sub-clan has a leader )
              Orang semenda bertempat semenda (the affine has affinal relatives)
  Before the advent of the British rule, it was the Undang (lawgiver) who held power in the 'luak' or the territory, and not even the Yamtuan can intefere in the domain of the Undang. It could be surmised in the saying below:-
             Boleh menghitam dan memutihkan
             Boleh memanjang dan memendekkan
             Boleh mengesah dan membatalkan

Translated as:
            With authority to pronounce black and white
            With authority to lengthen and shorten
            With authority to confirm and annul
Likewise;
            Sah batal pada Undang
            Keris penyalang pada Undang
Translated as:
           Confirmation and annulment are with the Undang
           The execution Kris is with the Undang

      In fact the Undang held more authority than the Yamtuan where matters fall under the jurisdiction of the Luak. The Yamtuan was only confined to his seat of the palace in Seri Menanti. This was the scenario then, because the Yamtuan served as the titular Head of State and he was invited from Pagar Ruyung in Sumatera upon the request of the four Undangs. Thus whenever the Ruler passed away, the Undangs will choose amongst the eligible princes, not necessarily the son of the deceased to become the new ruler. Thus the present Yang diPertuan Besar (Yamtuan for short) was chosen from amongst the three princes (the other two were the sons of the previous Yamtuan, Almarhum Tuanku Jaafar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman). His Highness Tuanku Mukhriz, the present ruler is the son of the former Yamtuan, Almarhum Tuanku Munawir, the brother of Almarhum Tuanku Jaafar. If I could recall correctly, when the Federation Agreement of 1947 was signed between the British and theMalay Rulers, all the four Undangs were invited and seated together with the Yamtuan during the signing ceremony. Such was the importance of the Undangs protocol wise accorded by the British and till today all royal functions at the State level must be graced by their presence.

Recycling Man

Familiar jingle
Pass my house many a time
Paper lama man

Recycling business
An honest work for the day
Earning his living

Cyber Scam

It is quite baffling
People easily be conned
And lose millions

They should remain calm
And call the bluff from caller
When no wrong is done

You must be steadfast
Not to fall to such a scam
Keep your wits around

Aidil-Adha, Day of Sacrifice.

Tenth of Zulhijjah
Is in the month of the Hajj
Day of Sacrifice

Where Mina awaits
Three symbols of satan stands
Abraham fought them

His son Ismail
Laid his neck for sacrifice
Replaced by a sheep

Muslims all over
Celebrate Aidil-Adha
To remember it

Insurgency or Emergency

Picture of a check-point

during the Emergency.

 

 

The Emergency

Truly an Insurgency

A real war at large

 

Fifties were its height

Casualties were on both sides

The pain never erased

 

Ashes too not spared

The fallen still remembers

Turning in their graves

 

 

The Auditor's Report

Year in and year out
Same story on public funds
Ludicrous statements

The people are numbed
Staggering figures wasted
Repeatedly done

Where is their conscience
Have they thrown it to the winds
The sin is too great

My Cats

                                       Maghry, the mother cat.

Two cats are my pets
Maghry the mother and Bit
Been around quite long

Straddling the driveway
Whenever I leave for mosque
As if to stand guard

When the gates open
They came rushing to welcome
Bit makes a loud noise

TV Invitation

A call from David
Former colleague in service
Invite on TV

To speak on Budget
What to expect forthcoming
Politely decline

No publicity
Not to seek this world only
Look to Hereafter

Safety first

Boom-gates installed
To ensure security
Lest we fall victims

Some say a nuisance
To be stopped and questioned
Why not the Police

Here comes smart alec
Criticise us for such effort
His ego too big