The Luak of Sungei Ujong Has Named a New Undang. Here's What We Know So Far.
Muhammad Faris bin Johari was annouced as the 11th Undang Luak Sungei Ujong.
On 5 May 2026, multiple Malaysian news outlets reported that Muhammad Faris bin Johari had been installed as the 11th Undang Luak Sungei Ujong. The appointment was carried out at Telaga Undang in Pantai, Seremban, on 22 April 2026, in a ceremony witnessed by Adat leaders, clan representatives, and government officials.
The news entered public record through a statement posted by Majlis Dato Lembaga Adat Sungai Ujong on Facebook on 5 May 2026.
Coverage on 5 May came from Malay Mail, New Straits Times, Free Malaysia Today, Harian Metro, Sinar Harian, Siakap Keli, and Malaysiakini, among others.
Who is Muhammad Faris bin Johari?
Muhammad Faris was born on 30 October 1997. He is the second child of Johari bin Meor Ngah and Ibu Soko Klana Hulu Shazlina binti Dato’ Sinda Maharaja Haji Abd Karim (Siakap Keli, 5 May 2026).
His mother is a graduate of McGill University, Montreal, Canada, while his father is a graduate of Coventry University, England. He is an alumnus of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and Maktab Rendah Sains MARA (MRSM) (Harian Metro, 5 May 2026).
He pursued higher education in accounting and is professionally trained under the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) pathway. He is currently an accountant at Marsh, a multinational insurance and risk consulting firm operating in over 130 countries (Siakap Keli, 5 May 2026).
By lineage, Muhammad Faris is a direct descendant of YTM Dato’ Klana Petra Bador ibni Dato’ Penghulu Menteri Chantek, the first Undang Luak Sungei Ujong, by maternal lineage. He is also a great-grandson (piut) of YTM Dato’ Klana Petra Ma’amor bin Dato’ Menteri Kassim, the 8th Undang of Sungei Ujong, and of YTM Dato’ Mendika Menteri Akhirulzaman Abdullah bin Panglima Muda Luk, the 12th Undang of Luak Jelebu, also known as the Lion of Jelebu (Singa Jelebu) (Siakap Keli, 5 May 2026).
How unusual is his age?
At 28, Muhammad Faris is significantly younger than recent appointees to the Undang positions.
Based on data from The Star’s profile of the four Undang published on 20 April 2026:
The removed Undang Mubarak Dohak, currently 65, was appointed Undang of Sungei Ujong in December 1993, at approximately age 32.
The Undang of Johol, Datuk Muhammed Abdullah, currently 60, was installed in 2016 at approximately age 50.
The Undang of Jelebu, Datuk Maarof Mohd Rashad, currently 69, was installed in 2019 at approximately age 62.
The Undang of Rembau, Datuk Abdul Rahim Yassin, currently 70, was installed on 14 September 2024 at approximately age 68.
Age alone does not determine legitimacy. But in a system where authority rests heavily on experience, lineage, and consensus within the Adat structure, his youth places greater scrutiny on the process by which he was selected.
But is he officially the Undang of Sungei Ujong?
The Majlis Dato Lembaga Adat Sungei Ujong is the traditional governing council of the Adat (customary law) leaders of Luak Sungei Ujong. It is the body that represents the senior Adat leadership of the luak, comprising the Dato’ Lembaga (heads of the tribes), the Waris, the Ibu Soko, and the Buapak. The Council is recognised as the institutional voice of the Sungei Ujong Adat structure.
Their announcement confirms that an installation ceremony has taken place within the Adat framework. However, that alone does not complete the appointment. Under the Negeri Sembilan Constitution 1959, the appointment must be brought to and acknowledged by the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU), then recognised by the state government, before the new Undang can officially assume the office.
What no one is saying but everyone is asking
When will he be officially confirmed as the Undang of Sungei Ujong?
Why were public documents only released on 5 May when the appointment was made on 22 April?
Will he restore the legitimacy of the institution of the Undang, damaged by the recent actions of the Undang Yang Empat?
Will he be elok (ethical) then pandai (intelligent), the way Tuanku Muhriz was described and the way an Undang is meant to be?
Or will he be just another pawn in this game of chess?
Neither the palace nor the state government have issued statements.
The removed Undang Mubarak and his supporters, including the three other chieftains, continue to insist that Mubarak remains the chieftain of Sungai Ujong (Malaysiakini, 5 May 2026).
What we know for sure
Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir remains the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan.
Mubarak Dohak was removed as the 10th Undang Luak Sungei Ujong on 13 May 2025, acknowledged by the DKU on 17 April 2026.
The 19 April declaration purporting to depose the Yang di-Pertuan Besar was rejected by the state government as invalid.
Under Article 16 (3), DKU’s acknowledgement on the election or removal of any Undang is final and cannot be questioned in any court on any grounds.
What happens next?
What has been completed is the Adat ceremony. Once the DKU acknowledges the appointment and the state government formally recognises it, Muhammad Faris will be officially installed as the 11th Undang Luak Sungei Ujong.
Until then, the conduct of the previous Undang Yang Empat has damaged the standing of the institution. Public confidence has been lost. Whether Muhammad Faris Johari can restore faith in the Adat is the question that now defines Sungei Ujong.
Note: Accurate as of 5 May 2026. Events in this story are developing rapidly. Some information may be out of date by the time of reading.
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Sources:
Majlis Dato Lembaga Adat Sungei Ujong (Facebook Page, 5 May)
Accountant named new Undang of Sungei Ujong (New Straits Times, 5 May 2026)
Muhammad Faris dilantik sebagai Undang Luak Sungai Ujong ke-11 (Harian Metro, 5 May 2026)
Muhammad Faris Dilantik Sebagai Undang Luak Sungei Ujong Ke-11 (Siakap Keli, 5 May 2026)
Muhammad Faris Johari installed as 11th Undang Luak Sungai Ujong (Malay Mail, 5 May 2026)
New Sungai Ujong undang appointed (Free Malaysia Today, 5 May 2026)
Akauntan berusia 29 tahun dilantik Undang Luak Sungei Ujong baharu (Sinar Harian, 5 May 2026)
Sungai Ujong elects new chieftain, old one refuses to budge (Malaysiakini, 5 May 2026)
Who are the four Undang embroiled in Negri Sembilan royal controversy? (The Star, 20 April 2026)
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.
