Reference Library
Evergreen guides to the Negeri Sembilan Constitution 1959 with detailed explainers for key articles.
This is a reference library for the Negeri Sembilan Constitution 1959, where we explain the key articles in detail. It sits alongside our commentary as a plain English guide to the constitutional text at the centre of the current dispute. Each entry explains what an Article does, reproduces the original wording, and links to the pieces where we have written about it. New entries are added as the story develops.
The Negeri Sembilan Constitution 1959
The First Part of the Laws of the Constitution, Negeri Sembilan, 1959
Chapter 3: The Yang di-Pertuan Besar
Article 7 - The Yang di-Pertuan Besar
Article 10 - Removal of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar
Article 11 - Duty of Undangs to Choose and Elect A New Yang di-Pertuan Besar
Chapter 5: The Ruling Chiefs
Article 14 - Undangs and Tunku Besar Tampin
Article 15 - Dato’ Shahbandar
Chapter 6: The Dewan Keadilan dan Undang
Article 16 - DKU
Article 17 - Membership
Article 22 - Minutes
Chapter 7: Honours and Dignities
Article 26 - His Highness, the fountain of honours and dignities
Chapter 8: General Provisions
Article 28 - Definition of the Ruler in the Second Part
Article 30 - Precedence among the Ruling Chiefs, set by the DKU
Article 32 - Bridge between Adat and Constitution
The Second Part of the Laws of the Constitution, Negeri Sembilan, 1959: The Machinery of the Government
Chapter 1: Preliminary
Article 34 - Dictionary clause for The Second Part. Defines “Ruler”
Chapter 2: Executive
Article 35 - Executive authority of the Ruler
Article 40 - Seven functions of the Ruler
Footnote:
How we present the text. The Constitution numbers its Articles in Roman numerals; we use Arabic numerals throughout for readability. And any constitutional text can be read more than one way, so the original document remains authoritative. We add the original text on every entry and encourage readers to read it directly.
A note on spelling. The 1959 text uses older spellings that differ from current usage, including “Sungai Ujong”, “Tengku Besar Sri Menanti”. We use the modern forms, Sungei Ujong, Tunku Besar and Seri Menanti, in our own writing, and preserve the original spelling wherever we reproduce the constitutional text directly.
Anak Nogori is independent commentary on the unfolding constitutional crisis in Negeri Sembilan, where centuries-old Adat Perpatih, royal succession law, and modern political manoeuvring are colliding in ways Malaysia has never seen before. If you find this useful, share it with someone who should be following this, or subscribe to receive the latest articles in your inbox.
