Negeri Sembilan

Ancient and medieval history

The earliest possible human settlement in Negeri Sembilan can be traced back around 14,000 years to the Pasoh Caves, a complex of karst caves near Simpang Pertang in the Jelebu district. Artefacts found around the caves include stone tools and food remains, estimated to date from 12,000 BCE based on carbon dating.^[5] The early inhabitants of Negeri Sembilan were the ancestors of the Semelai, Semai, Semang, and Jakun peoples, who lived either as hunter-gatherer nomads or as subsistence farmers.^{[citation needed]}

According to the Malay Annals, Parameswara reportedly visited the settlement of Sening Ujong, which was located in what is now Seremban.

The Minangkabaus from Sumatra settled in what is today Negeri Sembilan in the 15th century, under the protection of the Malacca Sultanate and later the Sultanate of Johor. They also brought their matrilineal custom, known as Adat Perpatih, which became the local custom.^[6][7]

The Linggi River along the western part of the state, and the Muar River were used as major trade routes since the time of the Malacca Sultanate. The former linked the tin-rich area of Sungai Ujong to the port city of Malacca; while the latter, along with the Pahang River via the Serting River in walking distance to the east, formed part of the Laluan Penarikan (lit. 'portage route' in Malay), facilitating access between the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea.

As Johor weakened in the 18th century,^{[citation needed]} attacks by the Bugis forced the Minangkabaus to seek protection from their homeland.^{[citation needed]} The Minangkabau ruler, Sultan Abdul Jalil, obliged by sending his near relative, Raja Mahmud, also known as Raja Melewar.^{[citation needed]}

When Raja Melewar arrived, he found that another royal, Raja Khatib had already established himself as ruler.^{[citation needed]} He declared war against Raja Khatib and became the ruler of Negeri Sembilan. The Sultan of Johor confirmed his position by granting the title Yamtuan Seri Menanti ("He Who is Highest Lord of the Seri Menanti") in 1773.^{[citation needed]}

Nine chiefdoms

At the time of its establishment, Negeri Sembilan was originally a loose confederation of nine chiefdoms (luaks), hence the name. During Raja Melewar's rule, it covered a larger area than its modern-day boundaries. In addition to the entire modern-day Negeri Sembilan, it also encompassed parts of what are now Selangor, Malacca, Pahang and Johor.

The original nine chiefdoms or domains that made up the first incarnation of Negeri Sembilan in 1773,^{[citation needed]} and gave the state its name, were:

Historically, all luak concentrically revolved around Seri Menanti as a center flanked by four inner luak serambi and four outer luak akin to a mandala.^[8] Ulu Pahang, Naning, Segamat and Klang were annexed into neighbouring states in the 19th century; Naning was incorporated into the Straits Settlement of Malacca in 1832 following the Naning War.

Ulu Pahang became the Bera region of Pahang, Segamat was annexed by Johor, and Klang became part of the Kuala Langat region of Selangor.^{[citation needed]}

After Raja Melewar's death in 1795, a series of disputes arose over the succession. For a considerable period, the local nobles appealed to the Minangkabau ruler in Sumatra for a new ruler.^{[citation needed]} However, competing interests supported different candidates, often resulting in further instability and civil war.^{[citation needed]}

Colonial history

In 1874, the British intervened militarily in a leadership tussle in Sungai Ujong to preserve British economic interests and placed the domain under the control of a British Resident.^{[citation needed]} Jelebu followed in 1883 and Rembau in 1887.^{[citation needed]} Their presence was detested by the locals, which eventually paved the way to a deadly civil war and subsequent breakup.

Modern history

In the first half of the 20th century, rural Negeri Sembilan saw large deforestation due to demand for natural rubber (Hevea brasiliensis); 6,188 plantations were counted in 1903 and were 396,065 counted in 1939.^[13] It was occupied by the Japanese in World War II between 1942 and 1945, joined the Federation of Malaya in 1948 and became a state of Malaysia in 1963.

In the 1970s and 1980s, towns like Rembau grew rapidly from the migration of villagers who no longer farmed rice; rice farming disappeared from most villages across the state by the 1990s.^[14] In the 1990s and 2000s, Seremban and Nilai attracted people who migrated from the overcrowded towns of the Klang Valley area. These two cities also became home to new factories and industrial parks, contributing to the state's modern development.^{[citation needed]}

On 9 September 2009, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government approved the state capital of Seremban's application to become a city (Bandar Raya), as it had experienced significant population growth. To make this possible, its city council had to be merged with the Nilai Municipal Council. After several postponements, Seremban officially attained city status on 20 January 2020.

Later that same year on 9 November, Negeri Sembilan was placed under the Movement Control Order lockdown due to increasing COVID-19 infections.^{[citation needed]}

Topography

Topographically, Negeri Sembilan consists of two plains divided by a mountainous spine in the middle. This region is well drained by various rivers on both sides. The Titiwangsa Mountains, the southernmost extension of the Tenasserim Hills and the wider Indo-Malayan Cordillera, spans approximately 92 km (57.1 mi) through the middle of the state. The mountain range starts from the border tripoint with Pahang and Selangor near Kenaboi, Jelebu, and extends towards Tampin, close to the border with Malacca.^[18]

This geographical feature results in the state being bisected almost diagonally into two regions; western Negeri Sembilan, consisting of the Port Dickson, Seremban, and Rembau Districts; and eastern Negeri Sembilan, which includes the districts of Jelebu, Kuala Pilah, Jempol, and Tampin. The western half is more developed and has an intricate and concentrated road network compared to the latter, which is predominantly rural.

The Negeri Sembilan section of the Titiwangsa Mountains forms a division for four river basins. The Langat and Linggi Rivers flows through the western half, while the Muar and Pahang Rivers constitute the eastern side. The Linggi and Muar rivers are the two major rivers flowing through the state and serve as significant water sources for the population.^[19] Its rainforests form part of the Titiwangsa Forest Complex, a component of the Central Forest Spine conservation area that covers much of the heavily forested and mountainous interior of Peninsular Malaysia.

Administrative divisions

Administrative districts

On the administrative level, Negeri Sembilan consists of seven districts, namely:

• Port Dickson (southwestern, coastal)
• Seremban (western)
• Rembau (southern)
• Kuala Pilah (central)
• Jelebu (northern)
• Jempol (eastern) and
• Tampin District (southeastern).

Climate

Negeri Sembilan experiences equatorial climate (Köppen climate classification: Af), which is hot and humid all year round. Thunderstorms are mostly prevalent during the period of monsoonal transitions that occur twice a year.

Dry seasons usually starts shortly after the first monsoonal transition and lasts until August to September, as the moisture brought by the southwesterly Indo-Australian Monsoon are blocked by the Barisan Mountains in Sumatera, creating a rainshadow effect on the eastern coast of the island and the Malay Peninsula.

In the corresponding Borneo-Australian Monsoon that blows from the northeast, Negeri Sembilan, along with the states of Melaka, Johor, and the East Coast states of Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang are the most affected by the monsoonal surge that brings persistently heavy rainfall and cause rough sea conditions in the South China Sea.

Constitution

The Constitution of Negeri Sembilan came into force on 26 March 1959. It is divided into two sections. The constitution establishes that the state's form of government is constitutional monarchy and the world's only elective monarchy for a matrilineal society.^{[citation needed]} The system was partially the basis for the federal monarchy.

The Ruler

The official constitutional title of the Ruler of the state are Duli Yang Maha Mulia Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan, (currently Duli Yang Maha Mulia Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir), Yang Teramat Mulia Undang of Sungei Ujong, Yang Teramat Mulia Undang of Jelebu, Yang Teramat Mulia Undang of Johol, Yang Teramat Mulia Undang of Rembau and Yang Teramat Mulia Tengku Besar Tampin and they hold office for life.

The state's constitution proclaims the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, Undang of Sungei Ujong, Undang of Jelebu, Undang of Johol, Undang of Rembau and Tengku Besar Tampin are vested with the Executive Power of the state, are the Head of the Religion of Islam in the state and are the fountain of all honour and dignity for the state. The current Yang di-Pertuan Besar is Muhriz of Negeri Sembilan. He succeeded Ja'afar of Negeri Sembilan who died on 27 December 2008.

Unlike Malaysia's eight other Royal Malay states, the Ruler of Negeri Sembilan is elected to his office by the territorial chiefs or Ruling Chiefs of the state. These Ruling Chiefs are titled Undang. Only four of the Undangs have the right to vote in the election for the Ruler of the State. They are:

• The Undang of Sungai Ujong
• The Undang of Jelebu
• The Undang of Johol
• The Undang of Rembau

The Undang themselves cannot stand for election, and their choice of Ruler is limited to a male Muslim who is Malay and also a "lawfully begotten descendant of Raja Radin ibni Raja Lenggang".

The Assembly convenes at the Wisma Negeri in the state capital, Seremban.

Executive and Legislature

The State Executive Council consists of the Menteri Besar (Chief Minister), who is its chairman, and ten other members. The Menteri Besar and the other members of the council are appointed by the Yang Di-Pertuan Besar from the members of the State Assembly of the governing party or coalition. The current Menteri Besar of the state is Aminuddin Harun.

The unicameral Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly is the state legislature of Negeri Sembilan. It consists of 36 members who represent single-member constituencies throughout the state. Elections are held no more than five years apart, and are usually conducted simultaneously with elections to the federal parliament.

More information Affiliation, Coalition/Party Leader ...

Affiliation		Coalition/Party Leader	Status	Seats
				2023 election	Current
	Pakatan Harapan Barisan Nasional	Aminuddin Harun	Government	31	31
	Perikatan Nasional	Ridzuan Ahmad	Opposition	5	5
Government majority				26	26

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Departments

• Negeri Sembilan State Financial Office^[23]
• Negeri Sembilan Public Works Department^[24]
• Office of Lands and Mines Negeri Sembilan^[25]
• Negeri Sembilan Irrigation and Drainage Department^[26]
• Negeri Sembilan State Forestry Department^[27]
• Negeri Sembilan State Agriculture Department^[28]
• Negeri Sembilan Social Welfare Department^[29]
• Negeri Sembilan Town and Country Planning Department^[30]
• Department of Veterinary Services of Negeri Sembilan^[31]
• Negeri Sembilan State Mufti Department^[32]
• Negeri Sembilan State Islamic Religious Affairs Department^[33]
• Negeri Sembilan Syariah Judiciary Department^[34]

Statutory bodies

• Negeri Sembilan State Islamic Religious Council (MAINS)^[35]
• Negeri Sembilan State Museum Board (LMNS)^[36]
• NS Corporation (NS Corp) ^[37]
• Negeri Sembilan Public Library Corporation (PPANS)^[38]
• Negeri Sembilan Foundation (YNS)^[39]
• Negeri Sembilan State Development Corporation (PKNNS)^[40]

Administrative divisions

The state comprises 7 districts, which in turn divided into 61 mukims.

More information Districts in Negeri Sembilan, Number ...

Districts in Negeri Sembilan
Number	District	Seat	Area (km2)	Mukim	Local government level[41]
1	Seremban	Seremban	935.02	Ampangan, Labu, Lenggeng, Pantai, Rasah, Rantau, Seremban City, Setul	City[42]
2	Port Dickson	Port Dickson	572.35	Jimah, Linggi, Pasir Panjang, Port Dickson Town, Si Rusa	Municipality[43]
3	Rembau	Rembau	415.12	Batu Hampar, Bongek, Chembong, Chengkau, Gadong, Kundur, Legong Hilir, Legong Hulu, Miku, Nerasau, Pedas, Pilin, Selemak, Semerbok, Sepri, Tanjung Keling, Titian Bintangor	District council[44]
4	Jelebu	Kuala Klawang	1,349.89	Glami Lemi, Kenaboi, Kuala Klawang, Peradong, Pertang, Triang Hilir, Ulu Klawang, Ulu Triang	District council[45]
5	Kuala Pilah	Kuala Pilah	1,090.40	Ampang Tinggi, Johol, Juasseh, Kepis, Langkap, Parit Tinggi, Pilah, Seri Menanti, Terachi, Ulu Jempol, Ulu Muar	District council[46]
6	Jempol	Bandar Seri Jempol	1,490.87	Jelai, Kuala Jempol, Rompin, Serting Ilir, Serting Ulu	Municipality[44]
7	Tampin	Tampin	878.69	Ayer Kuning, Gemencheh, Keru, Repah, Tampin Tengah, Tebong Autonomous sub-district: Gemas	District council[47]

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Ethnicity

Negeri Sembilan has a total population of 1,098,500 as of 2015;^[48][49] the ethnic composition consisting of 622,000 Malays (56.6%) (mostly are Minangkabau descent), 20,700 other Bumiputras (1.9%), 234,300 Chinese (21.3%), 154,000 Indian (14%), 4,200 Others (0.4%), and 63,300 non-citizens (5.8%).^[48] The state has the highest percentage of Indians when compared to other Malaysian states. Up until today the state is known as the strongholds of Adat Perpatih in Malaysia.

Religion

According to the 2010 census, the population of Negeri Sembilan is 60.3% Muslim, 21.2% Buddhist, 13.4% Hindu, 2.4% Christian, 1.1% of unknown affiliation, 0.8% non-religious, 0.5% Taoist or Chinese religion follower, and 0.3% of followers of other religions.

Statistics from the 2010 Census indicate that 92.9% of the Chinese population in Negeri Sembilan identify as Buddhists, with significant minority of adherents identifying as Christians (3.6%), practitioners of Chinese folk religions (1.9%) and Muslims (0.8%). The majority of the Indian population are Hindus (89.0%), with a significant minorities of numbers identifying as Christians (5.0%), Muslims (3.2%) and Buddhists (1.4%). The non-Malay Bumiputera community are predominantly Atheists (39.7%), with significant minorities identifying as Christians (28.3%) and Muslims (20.2%).^[51] All Malays are Muslims as defined by the Constitution of Malaysia.^[52]

Languages

Negeri Sembilan is a multiethnic state in which every ethnic group speak their respective languages and dialects. The Negeri Sembilanese people speak a unique variety of Malay known as Negeri Sembilan Malay or in their native language as Baso Nogoghi. It is not closely related to other varieties of Malay in Peninsular Malaysia but is more closely related with Malay varieties spoken in neighbouring Sumatra especially varieties of Minangkabau. Besides Malays, the Chinese community also speak their languages and dialects. Orang Asli peoples like Temuans speak a language closely related to Malay. Standard Malay is widely used throughout the state.

Tamil (mother tongue to Indian Tamils and Ceylon Tamils) is used as a lingua franca among the other minor Indian communities. Besides, a small number of Telugu, Malayalam and Punjabi exist in the towns of Negeri Sembilan.

Performing arts

Negeri Sembilan also has traditional music like the Caklempong, Dikir Rebana, Tumbuk Kalang, and Bongai.^{[57][58][59][60]}

The musical instruments used to bear some semblance to Sumatra, the ancestral home of the Minangkabau people. Dances like the tarian lilin (candle dance) and rentak kuda (the beat of the horse) are popular in Negeri Sembilan and the coordinated movements of the dancers in their colorful costumes in the Tarian Piring and the upbeat tempo of Tarian Randai. Each beat, rhythm and movement in these dances combines to form a story, maybe of a bygone myth or simply a reflection of the lifestyles of another era.^{[citation needed]}

They are usually performed at traditional festivities, cultural events and dinner-cum-cultural shows.

Public universities

Private universities and university colleges