Last modified: 28 November 2020
The country
The state is formally known as Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus, but usually called Negeri Sembilan.
In the 14th century the Minangkabaus from Sumatra settled in what is now Negeri Sembilan, which at the time was under the protection of the Sultanate of Malacca. Later it became under the protection of the Sultanate of Johor. After Johor had weakened in the 18th century, the ruler of the Minangkabau, Sultan Abdul Jalil, sent Raja Melewar to the Sultan of Johor. However Raja Khatib had already established himself as the ruler of Negeri Sembilan. Raja Melewar defeated him and became the ruler of Negeri Sembilan. The Sultan of Johor granted him the title Yang di-Pertuan Besar in 1773. After the death of Raja Melewar a series of disputes over the succession caused instability and civil war. In 1873 the British took control over Sungai Ujong, in 1886 over Jelebu, and in 1895 also over the remaining part of the area. Negeri Sembilan in 1942 was occupied by the Japanese. In 1948 the state joined the Federation of Malaya, and in 1963 became part of Malaysia.
Sovereign
The current sovereign is Muhriz ibni Munawar, 11th Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan. He was born at Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan, on 14 January 1948. He was appointed the Tunku Besar, heir presumptive, in 1960.
He is the son of Munawir ibni Almarhum, 9th Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan (1922-1967) and his wife Tunku Durat un-Nafisa Aziba binti Tunku Besar Burhan ud-din (1922-1999).
Enthronement
Muhriz ibni Munawir succeeded his paternal half-uncle Jaafar ibni Almarhum, 10th Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, who died on 27 December 2008. Muhriz ibni Munawir was proclaimed the 11th Yang di-Pertuan Besar on 29 December 2008 by the Council of Undang.
The installation took place at the Balairong Sri, Istana Besar, Sri Menanti, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, on 26 October 2009.
Other details
The King is a Muslim.
Marriage and descendants
Muhriz ibni Munawir is married since 1974 to Tuanku Dato’ Aishah Rohani ibni al-Marhum Tengku Besar Mahmud of Terengganu (born 1951), who is known as the Tuanku Ampuan Besar Negri Sembilan since 14 February 2009.
Their issue:
- Tunku Ali Redhauddin Muhriz (born 1977)
- Tunku Zain Al’Abidin Muhriz (born 1982)
- Tunku Alif Hussein Saifuddin Al-Amin (1984-2016)
Heir to the throne
The heir is Tunku Ali Redhauddin Muhriz, who was born at the University Hospital in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia, on 26 April 1977. He was proclaimed the Tunku Besar of Sri Menanti at the Balairong Sri, Istana Besar, Sri Menanti on 23 February 2009.
The other three “Royal princes) – see below under succession – are Tunku Naquiyuddin (born 1947; the Tunku Laksamana), Tunku Imran (born 1949, the Tunku Muda of Serting) and Tunku Nadzaruddin (the Tunku Panglima Besar).
Postal address
Istana Besar
Sri Menanti
Negeri Sembilan
Malaysia
Succession
Negeri Sembilan is a constitutional monarchy. The Yang di-Pertuan Besar holds office for life and is Head of the Religion of Islam. He is being elected by the territorial chiefs of the state, united in the Council of Undang. The Undangs of Sungai Ujong, Jelebu, Johol and Rembau have the right to vote in the election. They themselves can’t stand for election. The Yang-di-Pertuan Besar has to be a male Muslim who is a Malay and a “lawfully begotten descendant of Raja Radin ibni Raja Lenggang”. He is chosen from amongst the Putera Yang Empata (or four Royal princes). These four princes are the Tengku Besar of Sri Menanti, Tunku Laksamana, Tunku Panglima Besar and Tunku Muda of Serting. They are appointed to these titles, for life, from amongst the senior members of the Sri Menanti dynasty, by the reigning Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
Titles
The Yang di-Pertuan Besar is titled Sri Paduka Duli Yang Maha Mulia Tuanku … (personal name) ibni al-Marhum … (father’s title and personal name), Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negri Sembilan, and is styled His Royal Highness. His royal consort is Duli Yang Maha Mulia Tengku Ampuan (Besar) Negri Sembilan, and is styled Her Royal Highness. His non-royal consort is Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Che’ Ampuan Besar Negri Sembilan, and is styled Her Highness. The heir apparent is Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Yang di-Pertuan Muda Negri Sembilan, and is styled His Highness. His royal consort is Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Tengku Puan Muda Negri Sembilan, and is styled Her Highness. His non-royal consort is Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Che’ Puan Muda Negri Sembilan, and styled Her Highness. The regent is Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Pemangku Raja Negri Sembilan, and styled His Highness. The junior wives of a Yang di-Pertuan Besar, a heir apparent and other princes is Yang Mulia Che’ … (personal name) binti … (father’s title and name). Other male family members in male line are Yang Mulia Tengku … (personal name) bin … (father’s title and name). And other female family members in male line are Yang Mulia Tengku … (personal name) binti … (father’s title and name).
Senior male members of the royal family are usually honoured with a princely title in addition to the birth titles. The order of these titles is: (Duli) Yang Amat Mulia Tengku Besar (who is the deputy of the ruler, and usually acts as the regent), (Duli) Yang Amat Mulia Tengku Laksamana/Yang Amat Mulia Tengku Puan Laksamana/Yang Amat Mulia Che’ Puan Laksamana, Tengku Muda Serting and Tengku Panglima Besar.
The Yang di-Pertuan Besars of Negeri Sembilan
| Raja Melawar (-1796) | 1778-1796 |
| Raja Hitam (-1808) | 1796-1808 |
| Raja Lenggang (-1824) | 1808-1824 |
| Raja Labuh | 1826-1831 |
| Raja Radin (-1861) | 1831-1861 |
| Imam ibni Raja (ca. 1823-1869) | 1861-1869 |
| Antah ibni Nasiruddin (18..-1888) | 1869/72-1888 |
| Muhammad ibni Antah (1865-1933) | 1888-1933 |
| Abdul Rahman ibni Muhammad (1895-1960) | 1933-1960 |
| Munawir ibni Abdul Rahman (1922-1967) | 1960-1967 |
| Jaafar ibni Abdul Rahman (1922-2008) | 1967-2008 |
| Muhriz ibni Munawir (1948- ) | 2008- |