Maarof's appointment as 16th Undang Luak Jelebu is final - Rais Yatim

JELEBU, March 2 (Bernama) -- The appointment of retired teacher, Maarof Mohd Rashad as the 16th Undang Luak Jelebu is final, said the former Socio-Cultural Advisor to the Government, Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim.

Rais, who was also a former Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan, said this was in line with the provision found in the Negeri Sembilan State Constitution, particularly Article 16.

“So, with the advice of the Menteri Besar and so on under the constitution, the selection (appointment) of Maarof as the 16th Undang Luak Jelebu is final and follows the highest requirement and cannot be re-drafted or reviewed.

"As such, I advise those who oppose Maarof's appointment as the 16th Undang Luak Jelebu will be embarking on an exercise in futility and will not succeed. It is better for them to reharmonise and accept what has been decided by the Council of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and the Ruling Chiefs,”he told reporters here today.

He disclosed this following the protest by Datuk Lembaga Delapan (Tiang Balai) Luak Jelebu recently on the appointment of Maarof as the 16th Undang Luak Jelebu.

Rais was approached at a function at the Rumah Gadang Budi, Kampung Gagu near here today.

Maarof was announced as the 16th Undang Luak Jelebu at a ceremony on Dec 20, 2018 to succeed the 15th Undang Luak Jelebu, Datuk Musa Abdul Wahab who died on September 11, 2014.

Earlier at the function, Mat Sidek Sikin, 83, was appointed as Datuek Ampek (Datuk Empat) Kampung Gagu, while Azahari Tasmin, 69, was appointed as Datuek Mangku (Datuk Mangku) Kampung Gagu.

-- BERNAMA