Abd Rahim Yassin Takes Oath As New Undang Luak Rembau

REMBAU, Aug 22 (Bernama) -- Datuk Sedia Raja Abd Rahim Yassin was installed as the 22nd Undang Luak Rembau today, ending the controversy surrounding the selection of the candidate.

The Installation Ceremony, which lasted about two hours, began at 10.30 am at the Balai Undang Luak Rembau here, starting with an announcement, followed by cannon fire, and the ‘Istiadat Menjemput’ before the Luak Rembau Anthem was played, leading to the handing over of the ‘Keris Pesaka’ to Abd Rahim.

The event continued with the ‘Istiadat Menjunjung Kasih’ and oath-taking by Abd Rahim, followed by a prayer led by Negeri Sembilan Deputy Mufti Amran Awaludin.

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In his speech at the ceremony, Abd Rahim congratulated the Selection Committee, chaired by Datuk Perba Abdul Razak Mohd Yassin, for successfully conducting the Pesaka Undang Luak Rembau Selection Process according to the procedure.

He also expressed his appreciation and gratitude to Abdul Razak and Rembau District Officer Mohd Zamri Mohd Esa, who chaired the event, as well as all those present in support of him and the adat (customary law) institution in Luak Rembau.

 "Regarding the controversy during the selection process, we assure you that appropriate actions will be taken.

"Thank you to those who provided feedback on the issue, so that drastic measures can be taken against those involved.

"We are aware and understand that the name of the officeholder and this institution have been severely tarnished by the self-serving actions of certain individuals," he said.

The selection of the Undang Luak Rembau was held to replace Datuk Lela Maharaja Datuk Muhamad Sharip Othman, 83, who died from old age on May 15.

The selection of an Undang in Negeri Sembilan must be from candidates of the Biduanda tribe, the original tribe of the state, and there are 12 tribes in the ‘Adat Perpatih’ system.

Abd Rahim, 68, who was born in the district, is of ‘Orang Besar Undang Yang Empat’ nobility carrying the title ‘Datuk Shahbandar’ since February 1999 in the Undang Luak Rembau Institution.

He has experience as a teacher in several schools in Kuala Lumpur and Negeri Sembilan and has held positions such as the head of department, head of unit, and assistant district education officer in Rembau before retiring in 2014.

The father of seven was also chosen as a football coach and referee at the state level and for the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM). He has extensive experience in associations, organisations, cooperatives, and mosques.

He was awarded the Rembau District Maal Hijrah Figure in 2015 and the Rembau District Teacher Figure in 2016, in addition to being appointed as a member of the Rembau District Council from 2017 to date.

  -- BERNAMA