A GLIMPSE OF REMBAU HISTORICAL PAST

BRIEF HISTORY
Rembau, one of the component states of the Negri Sembilan federation, dates from 1540. Two Minangkabau chiefs, Dato' Laut Dalam and Dato' Lela Balang founded the state. They agreed a pact whereby the headship of the state would alternate between their descendants in the female line. The former was invested with the family title of Dato' Setia Raja, and the latter with that of Dato' Lela Maharaja by the Sultan of Johor. The ruler is styled the Undang Luak, he is selected by the great noble title-holders within the state. An attempt to establish a superior hereditary ruler (Yang di-Pertuan Muda) proved a failure. The northern districts, centred on Tampin, became a new principality, ruled by the family of the Yang di-Pertuan Muda. The southern districts continued under the traditional form of elective head of state and retained the original name of Rembau.

STYLES AND TITLES:
The ruler: Yang Teramat Mulia Undang Luak Rembau, i.e. the Undang of Rembau.
Wife of the ruler: Toh Puan.

RULES OF SUCCESSION:
The Undang may be selected from one of two great families known as the Waris Jakun (who hold the hereditary title of Dato' Lela Maharaja) and the Waris Jawa (who hold the hereditary title of Dato' Sedia di-Raja). Although officially elected by the great nobles of the state, the office of Undang alternates between the heads of the two houses. Succession to the titles of Dato' Lela Maharaja and Dato' Sedia di-Raja is through the female line. Generally, the son of the eldest sister of the deceased title-holder, succeeds him.

ORDERS AND DECORATIONS:
None, see Negri Sembilan.

GLOSSARY:
See under Malaysia, main page.

SOURCES:
Ensiklopedia Sejarah dan Kebudayaan Melayu, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 1995.
R J Wilkinson, Papers on Malay Subjects, Malay History, Part V, Notes on the Negri Sembilan, FMS Government Press, Kuala Lumpur, 1911.

SPECIAL SCKNOWLEDGEMENT:
Dato' Hj. Zulkipli bin Hj. Shamsudin.