{{short description|Traditional chieftains of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia}} {{for|the tropical cyclones|List of storms named Undang}} [[File:CO 1069-491-09 (7888096290) 01.jpg|thumb|right|Negeri Sembilan chieftains seated (middle row) with Tuanku Muhammad Shah (second from left), 1903.]] The '''Undang Yang Empat''' (Negeri Sembilan Malay: ''Undang Nan Ompek''; Jawi: أوندڠ يڠ امڤت) are the ruling chiefs or territorial chiefs who play an important role in the election of a new Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. The name is believed to be derived from the Malay word ''undang-undang'' meaning "law".

The Minangkabau who settled at Negeri Sembilan, in present-day Malaysia at the end of the 17th century ruled by a ''"penghulu"'' or headman who was chosen from the noble families of Sakai and Jakun belonging to the Biduanda clan. These ''"penghulus"'', notably that of Sungai Ujong, Jelebu, Johol and Rembau became powerful enough to exalt themselves above the other ''"penghulus"''. These penghulus later acknowledged by the sultan of the old Johor Empire as a sovereign in their own territory. By the early part of the 18th century, the leaders of these four territories started using the title "'''Undang'''" to distinguish themselves from other ''penghulu luak''.

Malaysia's modern day constitution confirms the status of the Undang under Article 71, 160, 181 and the Eight Schedule of Federal Constitution as Malay Ruler within the Federation. Undangs are still chosen from amongst certain noble families in the state, the succession being both matrilineal and elective following the ''Adat Purbakala''. thumb|302x302px|Traditional adat domains of Negeri Sembilan

== History == According to Ernest Woodford Birch, the Undang Yang Empat trace their history and rank back to the four Batins (Sakai Chiefs) of Johol, Sungei Ujong, Jelebu and Klang, with Rembau later taking the position left vacant by Klang.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Birch |first=E. W. |date=1906 |title=The Election and Installation of Tungku Muhammad, C.M.G. Bin Tungku Antah, as the Yang Di Per Tuan Besar, Negri Sembilan |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/41561638 |journal=Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society |issue=46 |pages=9–22 |issn=2304-7534}}</ref>

==Inheritance and titles== The ruling chiefs are selected among the nobility in each ''luak'' (district), following matrilineal inheritance, part of the state's ''adat perpatih'' customs.

* The Undang of Sungai Ujong is chosen among the Waris Klana di-Hulu and Waris Klana di-Hilir families of the noble House of Waris Klana and inherits the title ''Dato' Klana Petra''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Bin Mohd. Salleh |first=Rosiswandy |date=2017 |title=SEJARAH PENGAMALAN ADAT PERPATIH DI NEGERI SEMBILAN |trans-title=History of the Practice of Adat Perpatih in Negeri Sembilan |url=http://www.jmm.gov.my/files/Sejarah%20Pengamalan%20Adat%20Perpatih%20Di%20Negeri%20Sembilan.pdf |journal=Jabatan Muzium Malaysia}}</ref> * The Undang of Jelebu is elected among the three noble houses of Waris Ulu Jelebu, Waris Sarin and Waris Kemin, and inherits the title ''Dato' Mendika Menteri Akhirul Zaman''.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Gullick | first1 = J. M. | title = 104. The Election of an Undang of Jelebu | journal = Man | volume = 46 | doi = 10.2307/2792637 | pages = 122–125 | year = 1946 }}</ref> * Undangs of Johol ({{ill|Undang of Johol|ms|Undang Luak Johol}}) are a succession of members of two families in the female line of either Perut Gemencheh or Perut Johol.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Nathan |first=Julius Ernest |title=Johol, Inas, Ulu Muar, Jempul, Gunong, Pasir and Terachi: Their History and Constitution |last2=Winstedt |first2=Richard |year=1920 |language=English}}</ref> The son of the eldest sister of the incumbent is usually the heir. He inherits the title ''Dato' Johan Pahlawan Lela Perkasa Setiawan''.<ref name=":0" /> * The Undang of Rembau alternates between the two major noble houses in the Luak, namely the Waris Jakun (who on accession inherits the title ''Dato' Lela Maharaja'') and the Waris Jawa (''Dato' Sedia Raja'').<ref name=":0" /> As with the Undang of Johol, the son of the eldest sister of the incumbent is the heir in the family.<ref name=":0" />

=== Current ruling chiefs === {| class="wikitable" |- ! Luak (District) ! Title ! Undang (Ruler)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ns.gov.my/en/kerajaan/info-negeri/institusi-undang|title=Undang Institution|publisher=State Government of Negeri Sembilan|access-date=2018-08-27|archive-date=2018-08-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180812170634/http://www.ns.gov.my/en/kerajaan/info-negeri/institusi-undang|url-status=dead}}</ref> ! Reign !{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |- | Sungei Ujong | Dato' Klana Petra | Dato' Haji Mubarak bin Dohak | 1993–2025<br>(disputed) | <ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Sabran |date=21 April 2026 |title=Four Undang dispute MB’s claim over Mubarak’s removal |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/04/21/four-undang-dispute-mbs-claim-over-mubaraks-removal |access-date=23 April 2026 |website=The Star |language=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh|first=Sarban|date=20 April 2026|title=Negri govt refuses to recognise, accept declaration to remove state Ruler, says MB|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/04/20/negri-govt-refuses-to-recognise-accept-declaration-to-remove-state-ruler-says-mb|access-date=20 April 2026|website=The Star|language=}}</ref><br><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=5 May 2026 |title=28-year-old Accountant Muhammad Faris Johari Is New Undang Of Sungei Ujong |url=https://www.bernama.com/en/news.php?id=2552952 |access-date=5 May 2026 |website=Bernama |language=}}</ref><br><ref>{{Cite web |last=Zulkifli|first=Syamilah|date=10 May 2026|title=Krisis adat Negeri Sembilan: Bekas kerani pula diisytihar sebagai Undang Luak Sungei Ujong ke-11|url=https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/779243/berita/semasa/krisis-adat-negeri-sembilan-bekas-kerani-pula-diisytihar-sebagai-undang-luak-sungei-ujong-ke-11|access-date=11 May 2026|website=Sinar Harian|language=ms}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Anis|first=Nik Mazwin Binti Nik|date=11 May 2026|title=Dual Undang claim sparks confusion in Sungei Ujong|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/05/11/dual-undang-claim-sparks-confusion-in-sungei-ujong|access-date=11 May 2026|website=The Star|language=}}</ref> |- | Jelebu | Dato' Mendika Menteri Akhirulzaman | Dato' Haji Maarof bin Mat Rashad | 2019–present | |- | Johol | Dato' Johan Pahlawan Lela Perkasa Sitiawan | Dato' Haji Dato’ Haji Muhammed bin Abdullah of Negeri Sembilan|Haji Muhammed bin Abdullah | 2016–present | |- | Rembau |Dato' Sedia Raja |Dato' Haji Abd Rahim bin Yassin | 2024–present |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steeped in tradition, ‘kerjan’ ceremony marks installation of new Undang Luak Rembau |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/09/14/steeped-in-tradition-kerjan-ceremony-marks-installation-of-new-undang-luak-rembau |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=The Star |language=en}}</ref> |}

The senior wife of an Undang has the honorific title of ''Tok Puan.''

==Duties== {{Main articles|Yamtuan Besar}}

The Undangs carry out duties such as co-head of state, co-head of Islam as state religion, upholding and safeguarding the special position of Bumiputera in Negeri Sembilan, attending the state opening of the legislative assembly and electing the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, who is also the co-head of state of Negeri Sembilan. The Undangs themselves cannot stand for election and their choice of ruler is limited among the princes of Seri Menanti royal family who are:

* Muslim male * Malay * a "lawfully begotten descendant of {{ill|Raja Radin ibni Raja Lenggang|ms|Yamtuan Radin}}".

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan