KUALA LUMPUR (May 5): Muhammad Faris Johari has been installed as the chieftain of the Sungei Ujong territory, a traditional office in Negeri Sembilan, amid an ongoing constitutional crisis in the state.
Born on Oct 30, 1997, Muhammad Faris succeeds Datuk Mubarak Dohak as the new Undang Luak Sungei Ujong in an appointment by consensus among customary leaders during a ceremony held on April 22 witnessed by elders and state government officials, according to a Tuesday statement.
The ceremony was conducted in accordance with the principles of justice, rule of law, lineage, and established customary traditions, read the statement from Majlis Dato Lembaga Adat Sungei Ujong.
The appointment is the latest in the constitutional crisis engulfing Land of the Minangkabau sparked by a move by territorial chieftains to depose the state’s ruler on April 19. The attempt failed as Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun sided with Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.
Aminuddin announced that the state government does not recognise the ouster of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan as one of the Undangs, Mubarak, had been removed from his office before their joint proclamation.
On Tuesday, the customary council said Muhammad Faris’ selection was made based on lineage provisions under the Teromba and Salasilah Negeri Sungei Ujong 1910, as well as customary law codified in the Undang-undang Sungei Ujong.
“The appointment has been ratified…and recognised by the Negeri Sembilan state government,” it said, adding that the process was carried out without external interference and in line with the state constitution.
Muhammad Faris is a descendant of the Sungei Ujong ruling lineage and trained as an accountant at Universiti Teknologi Mara, according to the accompanying profile. He is also a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and currently works with global insurance firm Marsh.
The Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly, originally scheduled from April 23 to 29 for debates on the royal address, was adjourned indefinitely on the first day after Tuanku Muhriz delivered his speech. The four Undangs were absent from the sitting.
Umno also weighed in on the crisis by withdrawing their support for Aminuddin as the menteri besar of Negeri Sembilan, ostensibly over his handling of the dispute, before reversing course to stay with Pakatan Harapan in the state’s coalition government.