Y.T.M. Haji Dato'

Malay titles

The Malay language has a complex system of titles and honorifics, which are still used extensively in Malaysia and Brunei. Singapore, whose Malay royalty was abolished by the British colonial government in 1891, has adopted civic titles for its leaders....

 Muhammad bin Sharif Othman, DTNS, 11th Dato' Lela Maharaja (born 14 August 1941 at Chembong Kecil, Rembau), is the 21st and current Undang

Undang

An Undang is a ruling chief or territorial chief who still play an important role in the state of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. The name is believed to be derived from the Malay word undang-undang meaning law....

 of Luak Rembau

Rembau

Rembau is a town within a district that shares the same name that is located in the state of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. With a population of 40,000 people the district is a stronghold of the matrilineal system known as adat perpatih, a customary practice inherited from the Minangkabaus, of...

.

Muhammad is a descendent of the Dato' Lela Maharaja Suku Biduanda, of the waris Nan Dua Carak (Perut Tebat). He is the head of the Waris Jakun lineage (who hold the hereditary title of Dato' Lela Maharaja); the other noble lineage of Rembau is the Waris Jawa (who hold the hereditary title of Dato' Sedia di-Raja). He was elected and installed as the Undang of Rembau on 21 November 1998. Although officially elected

Elective monarchy

An elective monarchy is a monarchy ruled by an elected rather than hereditary monarch. The manner of election, the nature of the candidacy and the electors vary from case to case...

by the nobles of the state, the throne of the undang alternates between the heads of the two houses.