Updated: 26 September 2026
The full Malay text of Lampiran A, with an English translation, is reproduced as a separate document in this publication’s Documents section: Lampiran A: The 33 Charges Against Mubarak, Full Text and Translation.
The 33 grounds for Mubarak’s removal were formally presented at the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) sitting and subsequently published. They fall into six categories:
A) Offences Under National Law
Providing false information to the Seremban district religious officer in July 2018 to change his marriage year from 1985 to 1984
Committing offences under Section 177 (false information to a public servant) and Section 466 (forgery of court records and public registers) of the Penal Code, the Waris Klana Hulu having found he married in 1985 in Jempol
Abusing power by using the Balai Undang secretary to conspire with UMNO and DAP politicians to bring down Dato' Lembaga Waris Klana Hulu
Abusing power by using government agencies, including PDRM, to remove Dato' Lembaga Waris Klana Hulu and the Tua Lembaga Tiang Balai Dato' Andulika Mandulika
Using UMNO and DAP politicians to challenge the Federal and Negeri Sembilan constitutional provisions that protect the Adat institution and its chiefs
Failing to comply with the Federal and Negeri Sembilan Constitutions
B) Offences Under Syariah Law
7. Violating Section 42(1) of the Negeri Sembilan Islamic Family Law Enactment 2003
8. Not performing Friday prayers at a mosque or approved place since 2020
9. Performing Friday prayers at the Balai Undang with fewer than 40 men continuously since 2020
C) Offences Under Sungei Ujong Adat
10. Defying and being disloyal to the Ibu Soko Dato’ Klana Petra
11. Changing adat by denying the position of Telaga Undang
12. Dismissing Tua Lembaga Tiang Balai without proper consent
13. Withholding allowances of Lembaga Waris Klana Hulu without proper consent
14. Withholding allowances of Lembaga Lingkungan Lenggeng without proper consent
15. Dismissing Buapak Waris Andulika without proper consent
16. Dismissing To’ Imam Perang Kanan without proper consent
D) Offences Relating to Adat Governance
17. Slandering and damaging the reputation of Laksamana Sungei Ujong in front of other Undang
18. Slandering former JHEAINS Director Dato’ Mohd Zaidi bin Ramli as being of Wahhabi persuasion
19. Denying the rights of Ibu Soko, Ibu Soko Waris Negeri and Waris Klana at the Balai Undang
20. Denying the customary right of Panglima Lintah Jalang and the descendants of Waris Batu Hampar Sungai Jai to pledge loyalty at the Balai Undang
21. Denying the adat administrative rights of Dato’-Dato’ Lembaga Tiang Balai
22. Denying the adat administrative rights of Dato’ Lembaga Waris Klana Hulu
23. Failing to look after the welfare of Dato’-Dato’ Lembaga Sungei Ujong for 30 years
24. Interfering in adat matters in territory under Dato’ Lembaga’s control
E) Offences Relating to Welfare and Administration
25. Not properly managing the allowances of Ibu Soko, Waris and Dato’ Lembaga
26. Not looking after the welfare of Orang Asli of Sungei Ujong
27. Failing to restore the pensions of Dato'-Dato' Lembaga to their original standing
28. Changing ceremonies by forbidding Ibu Soko Telaga Undang from sitting to the right of Dato’ Klana Petra
29. Changing ceremonies by abolishing meals for Dato’-Dato’ Lembaga, Waris and Ibu Soko at Balai Undang
30. Failing to correct politicians and others who addressed him with royal styles such as tuanku and tengku, which are reserved for the Seri Menanti royal house
F) Offences Relating to Leadership and Responsibility
31. Obstructing Dato’-Dato’ Lembaga from upholding customary heritage
32. Frequently absent from DKU meetings
33. Frequently absent from state government functions without reasonable excuse
All offences were reported to both PDRM and JHEAINS for further action.
How was Mubarak removed as Undang?
The 33 grounds formed part of a removal process that had begun inside the Luak of Sungei Ujong more than a year before the DKU sitting.
The central question is one of customary authority: who within the Luak had the power to remove Mubarak, and what role did the DKU play once that removal had occurred?
Who has the power to remove an Undang?
Article 14(1) of the Negeri Sembilan Constitution 1959 provides that the Undangs “shall be persons lawfully elected in accordance with the custom of their respective luaks”. In Sungei Ujong, the Undang carries the title Dato’ Klana Petra, and the choice of holder rests with the Waris Klana (Klana lineage).
Removal is expressly recognised in Article 14(3), which refers to an Undang “vacating or on being removed from office in accordance with the custom of his luak”. The Constitution therefore recognises the power of removal but does not prescribe the procedure, grounds or persons who must participate in it. Those matters are left to the custom of the respective Luak.
The DKU has a separate constitutional role. Article 16(1) provides for the DKU to advise on questions concerning Malay custom, including the removal of a Ruling Chief, while Article 16(3) provides that its advice on such questions is final and cannot be challenged in any court.
The removal itself is a customary act of the Luak, and the DKU’s advice on it completes the constitutional process by giving that act a finality that no court can reopen.
Why is there a dispute over who had authority to remove Mubarak?
The dispute has its roots in an earlier conflict between Mubarak and several Sungei Ujong chiefs.
According to Mubarak’s office, two chiefs lost their titles with effect from 1 December 2024:
Zainol Ariffin Ibrahim: YM Dato’ Andulika Mandulika, Tua Lembaga Waris di-Darat
Wan Khairil Mohd Yusof: YM Dato’ Johan Tua Tahu
His office alleged that they had established a body called the Majlis Dato’ Lembaga Adat without his knowledge and had used it to obtain funds. Police reports were subsequently made (Malaysiakini, 22 April 2026).
Mubarak’s side alleges:
Zainol Ariffin had already been dismissed on 28 November 2024.
The rightful holder of the Dato’ Andulika title was subsequently Sazali Mohamed Yasin, whom they say was appointed on 1 April 2025 (Sinar Harian, 5 May 2026, Utusan Malaysia, 5 May 2026).
On that account, Zainol Ariffin lacked the customary standing to participate in Mubarak’s removal.
Zainol Ariffin disputes that account, and claims:
His dismissal was invalid because the required customary process, including arbitration and the support of the Ibu Soko (senior women of the lineage) and Anak Waris (members of the lineage), had not been followed.
He denies misappropriating funds and says police investigations since 2024 had found no wrongdoing.
Mubarak knew about the Majlis Dato’ Lembaga Adat and had contributed funds towards an event through a cheque from the Pertubuhan Waris Klana Petra Mubarak Al-Haj (Malaysiakini, 22 April 2026).
Significantly, the dispute over those earlier dismissals also appears within the 33 grounds presented for Mubarak's own removal (Lampiran A, full text and translation).
Ground 3 alleges that he used the Balai Undang secretary to conspire with UMNO and DAP politicians to bring down the Dato' Lembaga Waris Klana Hulu, the title held by Wan Khairil.
Ground 4 alleges that he used government agencies, including PDRM, to remove both that office-holder and the Tua Lembaga Tiang Balai, Dato' Andulika Mandulika, the title held by Zainol Ariffin.
Ground 12 goes further and treats the Zainol dismissal itself as an adat offence, carried out without the assembly and consent of the Telaga Undang, the Waris Klana Hulu, the Waris Andulika and the Ibu Soko Andulika.
Ground 13 does the same for the withholding of Wan Khairil's allowance.
What happened at the kerapatan in 2025?
According to the account subsequently presented to the DKU, a kerapatan (customary assembly) was held at the Telaga Undang in Sungei Ujong on 1 April 2025.
Zainol Ariffin, acting as Tua Lembaga Waris di-Darat, announced Mubarak’s removal after receiving the consent of the Ibu Soko Klana Hulu and Anak Waris Klana Hulu. The 33 grounds concerned alleged breaches of hukum syarak (Islamic law) and custom (Malay Mail, 20 April 2026).
The Telaga Undang, Sarifah Norzaidah Al-Qadri, gives 13 May 2025 as the effective date on which Mubarak ceased to hold the Dato’ Klana Petra title (Malay Mail, 20 April 2026). See full statement here.
What did the DKU do on 17 April 2026?
The DKU met in special session at Istana Besar Seri Menanti on 17 April 2026.
Tuanku Muhriz, who presides over the DKU under Article 19, invited representatives of the Ibu Soko Klana Hulu and Waris Klana Hulu to attend. Article 24 allows the DKU to invite a person whose presence it considers desirable.
The 33 grounds reproduced above were presented at the sitting. The DKU then advised that the removal of Mubarak under the custom of the Luak be accepted (Berita Harian, 17 April 2026, The Star, 17 April 2026).
The distinction between the two stages matters. The removal was a customary act within the Luak. The DKU’s constitutional role under Article 16 was to advise on the question of that removal. Article 16(3) provides that the DKU’s advice on such questions is final and cannot be challenged in any court.
Did the DKU acknowledgement have to be unanimous?
Mubarak and three other Undangs disputed the account of the 17 April sitting. In a signed statement on 21 April, they said those present had not reached a collective and unanimous decision and that they had not agreed to Mubarak’s removal (The Star, 21 April 2026).
The Constitution does not require unanimity for the DKU to conduct its business. Article 20 sets an attendance quorum:
“No business except that of adjournment shall be transacted by the Dewan if there are less than one-half of the members present besides the President or other member presiding.”
This is an attendance threshold, not a decision-making threshold.
There is no explicit provision in the Constitution establishing a majority vote, casting vote or other general decision-making threshold for the DKU. Article 19 makes the Yang di-Pertuan Besar the presiding member, while Article 21 leaves the DKU to determine its own procedure. The Constitution therefore places the handling of differences of view within the DKU’s own procedure.
So when did Mubarak cease to be Undang?
The public record contains three dates that describe different stages of the removal:
1 April 2025: the kerapatan at which the decision to remove Mubarak was made.
13 May 2025: the effective date of his removal given by the Telaga Undang and subsequently acknowledged by the DKU.
17 April 2026: the date on which the DKU advised on the removal under Article 16.
The first two concern the customary process within the Luak. The third concerns the DKU’s constitutional advisory role.
What happened after the 17 April sitting?
The dispute then moved rapidly from the customary institutions into the courts.
19 April 2026: Mubarak participated in the declaration purporting to remove Tuanku Muhriz as Yang di-Pertuan Besar. The Menteri Besar said the declaration could not be recognised because Mubarak no longer held the powers of an Undang.
29 April 2026: Telaga Undang Sarifah Norzaidah Al-Qadri and the Negeri Sembilan State Secretary’s Office directed Mubarak to vacate the official residence and Balai Undang Luak Sungei Ujong with immediate effect (Malaysiakini, 30 April 2026, Sinar Harian, 30 April 2026).
5 May 2026: Mubarak and five others filed an originating summons in the Seremban High Court seeking minutes of the 17 April sitting, an order for the minutes to be handed over within seven days, and a suspension of the 17 April decision until then (Free Malaysia Today, 5 May 2026).
13 May 2026: The DKU and its secretary objected to the court’s jurisdiction under Article 16(3). The judge declined to grant an interim suspension on the evidence then before the court (Free Malaysia Today, 13 May 2026).
5 June 2026: The High Court granted an ad interim (temporary, pending a fuller hearing) injunction preserving the status quo (Malay Mail, 5 June 2026).
27 June 2026: Muhammad Faris Johari was installed as the 11th Undang of Luak Sungei Ujong (The Star, 27 June 2026).
8 July 2026: The Seremban High Court granted the DKU and its Secretary leave to begin contempt proceedings against the six plaintiffs for allegedly breaching the 5 June ad interim injunction, refused a stay, and fixed the committal hearing for 28 July 2026 (Bernama, 28 July 2026).
29 July 2026: The Court of Appeal stayed those proceedings pending the six plantiffs’ appeal against the High Court’s 8 July decision that there was a prima facie case for them to answer (Free Malaysia Today, 29 July 2026).
31 July 2026: The DKU issued a statement reaffirming Mubarak’s removal under the custom of the Luak before the 19 April declaration and advising that he therefore held no customary standing as Undang when that declaration was made. The DKU also acknowledged the installation of Muhammad Faris Johari as the 12th Undang of Luak Sungei Ujong (The Edge Malaysia, 1 August 2026).
7 September 2026: The Court of Appeal reserved its decision on the application to stay the committal proceedings, with counsel for the six arguing that the appellate court should first determine the jurisdictional question concerning the High Court and the Special Court (Bernama, 7 September 2026).
These court proceedings remain ongoing.
Where things stand
On the account accepted by the DKU, Mubarak ceased to hold the hereditary office of Dato’ Klana Petra and to serve as Undang of Luak Sungei Ujong with effect from 13 May 2025. The DKU acknowledged that removal at its special sitting on 17 April 2026 and reaffirmed the position on 31 July 2026.
The continuing court proceedings do not supply a different effective date. They concern the jurisdiction of the courts, the procedure followed at the DKU sitting, access to its records and the effect of interim orders issued while those questions are being litigated. Mubarak and his supporters continue to dispute the validity of the customary process, but the position acknowledged by the DKU remains that his tenure ended on 13 May 2025.
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Sources:
Negri ruling council advises Sungei Ujong to accept removal of chieftain (The Star, 17 April 2026)
Four Undang dispute MB’s claim over Mubarak’s removal (The Star, 21 April 2026)
Mubarak diarah kosongkan Balai Luak Undang Sungei Ujong (Sinar Harian, 30 April 2026)
N Sembilan govt tells sacked undang to vacate official residence (Malaysiakini, 30 April 2026)
4 Undang bawa krisis adat N Sembilan ke mahkamah (Free Malaysia Today, 5 May 2026)
Muhammad Faris installed as 11th Undang of Sungei Ujong (The Star, 27 June 2026)
Mahkamah Rayuan benar Mubarak, 5 lain tangguh prosiding komital (Free Malaysia Today, 29 July 2026)
33 Offences Infographic — Satria Wiran (Instagram, 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.
