Directory_and_Chronicle_1941 — Page 1254

C160

NEGRI SEMBILAN

The sixth Dato Klana, Saiyid Aman, waged continual wars with the Dato Bandar. The former was an Arab, and the latter a Malay. In 1874 the Dato Klana Saiyid Aman invited the assistance of the British Government to maintain his rule. The British intervened on his behalf and shortly afterwards the Residental system was introduced into Sungei Ujong.

It is worthy of note that the present Dato Bandar, who was elected on the 8th December, 1937, is a son-in-law of the present Dato Klana.

The Dato Klana is the Imam or head of the four major Chiefs of Negri Sembilan; he is their leader and their spokesman. He is charged with the duty of making the formal nomination of a new Yamtuan.

In 1883, Jelebu applied for a British Officer, and Rembau agreed to refer all its disputes to the British Government, and in 1887, accepted a British Adviser. In 1889, the Yang Di-Pertuan of Sri Menanti, who no longer effectively presided over the whole of Negri Sembilan, the Rulers of Tampin (a small principality which had come into existence to the east of Rembau) and Rembau asked for a Resident and agreed to a confederation known as "The Old Negri Sembilan". In 1895 the Resident of this con- federation took charge of Sungei Ujong and of Jelebu, and the modern Negri Sembi- lan was constituted. Finally in 1898, the Yang Di-pertuan of Sri Menanti was elected titular Ruler of the whole State. His Highness Tuanku Muhammad, G.C.M.G., K.C.V.O., ibni al Marhom Antah ruled as Yang Di-pertuan Besar, Negri Sembilan, from that year

until his death which occurred on the 1st August, 1933. He was succeeded by liis son,

Tuanku Abdul Rahman, K.C.M.G.

The area of the State is approximately 2,550 square miles. It is bordered on the south by Malacca and Johore, on the north by Selangor, on the east by Pahang, and on the west by the Straits of Malacca.

The main mountain range of the peninsula ends in Negri Sembilan and the watershed between the east and west coast in the southern part of the State is no longer mountainous. Gunong Besar Hantu, which is on the Pahang border, is the highest mountain, reaching 4,799 feet, while the highest mountain within the borders is Telapak Burok (3,915 feet).

There are no large rivers, and the State does not suffer from disastrous floods which sometimes cause such great loss in the larger river valleys of Malaya.

The climate is hot, moist and equable. The shade temperature has but a small annual range, and averages 81°F. It seldom rises above 92° or falls below 68°.

The average monthly rainfall throughout the year was 5.84 inches, the highest recorded being 15.73 inches at Port Dickson in August and the lowest .54 inch at Mantin in February.

GOVERNMENT

The supreme authority in the State is vested in the Yang Di-pertuan Besar and the Udang in Council.

The Council of the Yang Di-pertuan Besar and Undang, which consists of His Highness the Yang Di-pertuan Besar as President, the British Resident, the four Undang or Ruling Chiefs of the four major divisions of Negri Sembilan and the Tengku Besar of Sri Menanti, constitutes the Upper Chamber. The Lower Chamber, or State Council, consists of the British Resident as President, and eight official and seven unofficial Members. Legislation is introduced into the State Council and if passed is submitted to His Highness and the Undang for confirmation or amendment; assent is finally given by His Highness and the Undang.

Matters which concern only Muhammadan religion or Malay custom are dealt with by the Upper Chamber and the Chamber can legislate on such matters by means of Orders in Council. The Upper Chamber also exercises the statutory executive powers vested in the former State Council.

For the purpose of local Government, the State is divided into five administrative districts, namely, Seremban, Kuala Pilah, Tampin, Jelebu and Port Dickson in charge of District Officers responsible to the Resident. There are State Heads of Departments in charge of the Public Works, Medical, Police, Mines, Surveys, Agricultural and Forest Departments in the State.