Tuanku Muhriz The 11th Yang Di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan

My Self - Pouring scanted water on the tomb of Yam Tuan of Negeri Sembilan during my visit to Seri Menanti Royal Mausoleum in the mid of 90’s.

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Malaysian’s were upset with the news of DYMM Yang Di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Jaafar Died at Tuanku Jaafar Hospital at 12:45 hrs on December 27, 2008 after complaining of dizziness and chest pains. I just put my self into them and I knew what is happening………how to feel when you lost someone that you love. It’s really hurt……. What a great loss. AL-FATIHAH to Al-MArhum Tuanku Ja'afar.

I was wondering who is going to be the successor of Pagar Ruyoung Dynasty because Negeri Sembilan is the only state in Malaysia which doesn’t have a title of Crown Prince - Raja Muda or Putera Mahkota. Tengku Naquiyuddin is only one in my mind to succeed Tuanku Ja'afar but when I red in the news paper on December 29, 2008 there is another 3 candidates in line to the throne – the Four Royal Princes (Putera Yang Empat) which is heir to the throne comprise of Tunku Besar Seri Menanti Tunku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, Tunku Laksamana Tunku Naquiyuddin Tuanku Ja’afar, Tunku Muda Serting Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja’afar and Tunku Panglima Besar Tunku Nazaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar.

The first time I saw Tuanku Muhriz name, I was confuse and wondering who is this fellow, because all of this time I was totally wrong, I though the late of 9th Yang Di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Munawir don’t have any children. And I can feel something will change, it's not going to be as it is.

By the way, the appointment of the Negri Sembilan ruler is different from that in other states. On the death of a ruler, the Dato’ Undang Yang Empat or the “Four Law Givers” would elect the next ruler in a unique selection method from amongst the Royal Prince holding the title of Tunku Besar Seri Menanti, Tunku Laksamana, Tunku Panglima Besar and Tunku Muda Serting. Frankly speaking, I’m not aware of this selection method (adat istiadat) of Yam Tuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan.

The Undangs namely Undang Luak Sungai Ujong, Undang Luak Johol, Undang Luak Jelebu and Undang Luak Rembau together with the Tunku Besar Tampin held a conference behind close door to make the selection on Disember 28, 2008. The official announcement was made by the Datuk Undang Sungai Ujong Datuk Klana Petra Datuk Mubarak Dohak at the Balairong Seri at Istana Besar Sri Menanti at 3.45pm on Disember 29, 2008 before the remains of late Tuanku Ja'afar depart to Seri Menanti Royal Mausoleum.

Actually, Tuanku Muhriz was passed over when his father Tuanku Munawir Tuanku Abdul Rahman died as he was deemed to be too young at the age of 18 and his uncle, Tuanku Ja'afar was choosen to succeed him instead.

Born on 14th January 1948, Tuanku received his early education at Sekolah Menengah King George V in Seremban and continued at the Aldenhem School in Britain. Tuanku Muhriz obtained his LLB from the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, Britain. Tuanku Muhriz is a businessman and a director of Bangkok Bank.

Tuanku Muhriz married to Tengku Datuk Aishah Rohani, daughter of Tengku Seri Utama Raja Tengku Besar Mahmud ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu by his second wife, Y. Bhg. To’ Puan Hajjah Zainun Mariam binti Haji Su Mahmud, daughter of Haji Su Mahmud bin Dato’ Sri Amar Di-Raja Haji Ngah Muhammad. They were blessed with three sons, Tunku Ali Redhauddin 31 - Director of Investment at Khazanah Nasional Berhad, Tunku Zain Al-Abidin 26 - Director and Head of Project to Advance Democratic Institutions (PADI) and also columnist in The Sun and youth weekly Malaysia Today. and Tunku Alif Hussein Saifuddin Al-Amin, 23.

Rumours said, Tuanku Jaafar's family are said to be devastated with the decision of the Undangs to select Tuanku Muhriz over Tunku Naquiyuddin. They too had several powerful politicians in their corner but the Undang's were not willing to be swayed.

Tuanku Muhriz is the only son out of 6 siblings of Al-Marhum Tuanku Munawir by his wife Tuanku Ampuan Durah Ibni Al-Marhum Tunku Besar Burhanuddin. Tuanku Ampuan Durah is a grand daughter of Tuanku Antah, the 6th Yang Di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan and Daughter of Tunku Besar Burhanuddin by his 1st wife.

There is something unique about Tunuku Burhanuddin which some of us not aware of it. Tengku Besar Burhanuddin is a second son of DYMM Tuanku Antah ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Nasiruddin, the 6th Yang Di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan by his wife Cik Puan Besar Halimah. He was conferred with title Tunku Besar Seri Menanti means an heir to the throne. Born in 22nd September 1878 at Seri Menanti and died at Istana Baroh, Seri Menanti on 15th July 1961 and buried at Bukit Serajin Royal Mausoleum.

Tunku Halim Tunku Abdullah in his book Tunku Abdullah A Passion For Life describe Tunku Besar Burhanuddin as “a man as fierce and domineering as Tuanku Muhammad” and also wrote “In 1921, Tunku Abdullah Turn four. His father, than thirty-three, decided to re-marry and his bride, Tunku Kurshiah, was eighteen. This marriage was much encourage by his uncle Tunku Burhanuddin, for two reasons. Firstly, she was of royal standing and, as the intended heir , this would invariably assist Tunku Abdul Rahman’s ascension to the throne. The second reason was more personal – the bride was his daughter.

Firstly married in 1907 with YM Sharifah Alawiyah binti Syed Abdul Hamid (1889 - 18th August 1949) at Seri Menanti. She is the eldest daughter of Syed Abdul Hamid and YM Tunku Ambong Bahiya binti Tunku Besar Daud, daughter of YAM Tunku Daud ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Nasiruddin. Died at Istana Baroh and burried at Bukit Serajin Royal Mausoleum.

Second married in 1911 with YM Cik Halijah binti Haji Umar (ca. 1884 - 2nd October 1968). Died at Istana Baroh and burried at Bukit Serajin Royal Mausoleum.

They were blessed with nine sons and seven daughters. The most popular in Royal House of Negeri Sembilan is :-

2nd daughter - Tunku Kursiah (daughter of YM Sharifah Alawiyah) Consort of His Royal Highness Tuanku Abdul Rahman the 8th Yang Di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan and His Majesty the 1st Seri Paduka Baginda Yang DiPertuan Agong of Malaysia. She was conferred the title Her Royal Highness Tuanku Ampuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan (25/04/1934 – 01/04/1960) and Her Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong (30/08/1957 – 01/04/1960)

5th daughter - Tunku Durah (daughter of YM Sharifah Alawiyah) Consort of His Royal Higness Tuanku Munawir the 9th Yang Di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan. She was conferred with title Her Royal Highness Tuanku Ampuan of Negeri Sembilan (17/04/1961 – 14/04/1967)

6th daughter - Tunku Najihah (daughter of YM Che Halijah) Consort of His Roal Highness Tuanku Ja'afar the 10th Yang Di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan and His Majesty the 10th Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia. She was conferred with title Her Royal Highness Tuanku Ampuan of Negeri Sembilan (08/04/1968 – 27/12/2008) and Her Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong (26/04/1994 – 25/04/1999).

On the demise of Tuanku Ja'afar, it's look like the end of the era of Tunku Besar Burhanuddin descendants as a Queen Consort to Negeri Sembilan Ruler since April 21, 1934. BUT it’s not the end of it, the legacy continued with his grand son announced as 11th Yang Di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan. By the way, All the potential heirs to the throne of Negeri Sembilan refer to the Four Royal Princes (Putera Yang Ampat) are his grand son - Son of Tuanku Durah and Tuanku Najihah. Whoever choose by Undangs is not a big deal. I really respect of this Tunku and it reminds me to Her Majesty Queen Victoria of England who marring her daughter with some of European ruler. If Tunku still alive, I believe he is the happier man I ever known in this world.

The other siblings of Tuanku Muhriz are :-

YAM Tunku Munawirah (16/06/943 – 09/10/1991). Birth at Istana Besar, Seri Menanti, died at Universiti Hospital, PJ and burried at Seri Menanti Royal Mausoleum. Married with Kelantan Royal Family, YM Tengku Noone Aziz bin Tengku Mahmud (17/12/1938 – 02/08/2002) son of YBM Tengku Mahmud ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Muhammad IV. They were blessed with 3 sons - Tengku Muadzam Sadruddin, married with Pn Anizah binti Baharuddin. He has issue, two sons - Tengku Amran Sharif (27th February 2004) and Tengku Amir Mahmud (20th November 2005), Tengku Munawir Islahuddin and Tengku Muamir Izzuddin.

YAM Tengku Puan Sharif Bendahara Tunku Mudziah, (22nd August 1944 - 14th September 2004) Birth at Seri Menanti, died at National Heart Institute (IJN), Kuala Lumpur and burried at Bukit Serajin Royal Mausoleum. Married on 08th March 1969 to Tengku Syed Bendahara of Perlis, YAM Datuk Seri Di-Raja Syed Badarudin ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail, 2nd son of the late Raja of Perlis. They were blessed with 1 son and 3 daughters - Sharifah Basma Alawiyah, Syed Mashafuddin, Sharifah Bahiyah Ablah and Sharifah Bashirah Asma.

YAM Tunku Datin Anne Dakhlah (29th August 1951). Birth at Kuala Pilah. Married to YBhg Dato' Abdul Malik bin Tan Sri Shaikh Abu Bakar. They were blessed with 3 daghters - Siti Mazeera, Siti Mazlin & Siti Mazlynda.

YAM Tunku Deborah (08th March 1953). Birth at Kuala Pilah. Married to En Fuad bin Abdul Rahman. They were blessed with two daughters.

YAM Tunku Deannah (22 November 1954). Birth at Kuala Pilah. Married to YM Tengku Amran bin Tunku Muhammad Yusuf (12th May 1950) on 10th August 1974. Tengku Amran is a Grand Children of Y.A.M. Tunku Nambul bin Tunku Abdullah, the 5th Yang di-Pertuan Muda of Jelebu. They were blessed with 3 daughters -Tengku Amera Nafisah (30th September 1976), Tengku Nadia Azrina (21st March 1979) and Tengku Dahira Azirah (06th March 1983).

Congratulation to DYMM Tuanku Muhriz , May Good Bless You and The Royal Family of Negeri Sembilan.

DIRGAHAYU TUANKU.

DAULAT TUANKU….. DAULAT TUANKU….. DAULAT TUANKU