Yamtuan Besar
Encyclopedia
Yamtuan Besar, also known as Yang di-Pertuan Besar
, is the royal title of the ruler of the Malaysian state of Negeri Sembilan
. The ruler of Negeri Sembilan is selected by a council of ruling chiefs in the state, or the datuk-datuk undang
. This royal practice has been followed since 1773. The Yamtuan Besar is selected from among the four leading princes of Negeri Sembilan (Putera Yang Empat).
This unique form of government later inspired the first Prime Minister of Malaysia
, Tunku Abdul Rahman
, to implement a form of rotational constitutional monarchy for a newly independent Malaya
. Thus, the office of Yang di-Pertuan Agong
was created.
has been receiving immigrants from Sumatra
for hundreds of years. Prior to the implementation of this unique form of monarchy, the area was ruled by the Sultan of Malacca. After Malacca was defeated by the Portuguese, it was ruled by the Sultanate of Johor.
By 1760, however, Johor, which was having trouble from the Dutch, decided to allow the state to find a raja or sultan from Minangkabau in Sumatra
. Between 1760 and 1770, a council of leaders known as the datuk-datuk penghulu luak (the predecessor of the datuk datuk undang today) left for Pagar Ruyung in Minangkabau in search of a leader.
The Raja of Pagar Ruyung—who was believed to be a descendant of Alexander the Great, gave them a leader in the form of his son, Raja Mahmud. Raja Mahmud later became known as Raja Melewar
when he came to Negeri Sembilan
.
When Raja Melewar
died in 1795, instead of selecting his son as their new leader, the same council of leaders once again set out on a journey to their ancestral land. This time, the Raja of Pagar Ruyong gave another one of his sons—Raja Hitam as their new Yamtuan Besar. Raja Hitam married Raja Melewar's daughter, Tengku Aishah, but they had no children. He died in 1808.
Once again, the leaders of Negri Sembilan went to Minangkabau in search of someone to replace their leader. The Raja of Pagar Ruyung at that time sent his son, Raja Lenggang. He wedded Raja Hitam's second daughter, Tengku Ngah, from another marriage. They had two sons—Tengku Radin and Tengku Imam.
Before he died in 1824, Raja Lenggang said it was his wish that Tengku Radin be made the Yam Tuan. This time, the datuk datuk undang did not embark on a trip to meet the Raja of Pagar Ruyong. Thus, for the first time in its history, Negri Sembilan had a hereditary leader.
Yam Tuan Radin ruled for 30 years before he died. Then, his brother, Yang di-Pertuan Imam, ruled for eight years.
When he died, Negri Sembilan was plunged into uncertainty when Yam Tuan Radin's son, Tengku Antah, and Yang di-Pertuan Imam's son, Tengku Ahmad Tunggal, scrambled for the throne.
The council did not want to accept Tengku Ahmad Tunggal, so Tengku Antah became ruler until 1888. His son, Tuanku Muhammad, later took over until his death in 1933.
Tuanku Muhammad's son, Tuanku Abdul Rahman
, took over in 1933. Tuanku Abdul Rahman later became the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong
of Malaya
in 1957.
The latter's son, Tuanku Munawir, ascended the throne in 1960 and ruled until 1967. When Tuanku Munawir died, his brother, Tuanku Ja'afar Tuanku Abdul Rahman
, became the ruler of Negri Sembilan. Tuanku Jaafar also served as the tenth Yang di-Pertuan Agong
of Malaysia. During this period, Negeri Sembilan
was ruled by the regent, Y.A.M. Tunku Laxamana Tunku Naquiyuddin
. However, he was bypassed to the throne by the Undang
s in the favor of Tuanku Muhriz, who is the son of Tuanku Munawir and nephew of Tuanku Jaafar, and succeeded Tuanku Jaafar in 2008.
Yang di-Pertuan Besar
In Malay, Yang di-Pertuan Besar, literally "He Who Is Made Great" or "Great Ruler", is a royal title.-In Malaysia:# Also known as Yamtuan Besar, it is the title of the elected monarch of the state of Negeri Sembilan in Malaysia...
, is the royal title of the ruler of the Malaysian state of Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan, one of the 13 states that constitutes Malaysia, lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, just south of Kuala Lumpur and borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the south....
. The ruler of Negeri Sembilan is selected by a council of ruling chiefs in the state, or the datuk-datuk 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....
. This royal practice has been followed since 1773. The Yamtuan Besar is selected from among the four leading princes of Negeri Sembilan (Putera Yang Empat).
This unique form of government later inspired the first Prime Minister of Malaysia
Prime Minister of Malaysia
The Prime Minister of Malaysia is the indirectly elected head of government of Malaysia. He is officially appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the head of state, who in HM's judgment is likely to command the confidence of the majority of the members of that House of Representatives , the...
, Tunku Abdul Rahman
Tunku Abdul Rahman
Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah, AC, CH was Chief Minister of the Federation of Malaya from 1955, and the country's first Prime Minister from independence in 1957. He remained as the Prime Minister after Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore joined the...
, to implement a form of rotational constitutional monarchy for a newly independent Malaya
Federation of Malaya
The Federation of Malaya is the name given to a federation of 11 states that existed from 31 January 1948 until 16 September 1963. The Federation became independent on 31 August 1957...
. Thus, the office of Yang di-Pertuan Agong
Yang di-Pertuan Agong
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained independence....
was created.
History
Negeri SembilanNegeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan, one of the 13 states that constitutes Malaysia, lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, just south of Kuala Lumpur and borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the south....
has been receiving immigrants from Sumatra
Sumatra
Sumatra is an island in western Indonesia, westernmost of the Sunda Islands. It is the largest island entirely in Indonesia , and the sixth largest island in the world at 473,481 km2 with a population of 50,365,538...
for hundreds of years. Prior to the implementation of this unique form of monarchy, the area was ruled by the Sultan of Malacca. After Malacca was defeated by the Portuguese, it was ruled by the Sultanate of Johor.
By 1760, however, Johor, which was having trouble from the Dutch, decided to allow the state to find a raja or sultan from Minangkabau in Sumatra
Sumatra
Sumatra is an island in western Indonesia, westernmost of the Sunda Islands. It is the largest island entirely in Indonesia , and the sixth largest island in the world at 473,481 km2 with a population of 50,365,538...
. Between 1760 and 1770, a council of leaders known as the datuk-datuk penghulu luak (the predecessor of the datuk datuk undang today) left for Pagar Ruyung in Minangkabau in search of a leader.
The Raja of Pagar Ruyung—who was believed to be a descendant of Alexander the Great, gave them a leader in the form of his son, Raja Mahmud. Raja Mahmud later became known as Raja Melewar
Raja Melewar
Raja Melewar was the first Yamtuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. He was a prince from the state of Minangkabau in Sumatra, Indonesia.-History:...
when he came to Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan, one of the 13 states that constitutes Malaysia, lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, just south of Kuala Lumpur and borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the south....
.
When Raja Melewar
Raja Melewar
Raja Melewar was the first Yamtuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. He was a prince from the state of Minangkabau in Sumatra, Indonesia.-History:...
died in 1795, instead of selecting his son as their new leader, the same council of leaders once again set out on a journey to their ancestral land. This time, the Raja of Pagar Ruyong gave another one of his sons—Raja Hitam as their new Yamtuan Besar. Raja Hitam married Raja Melewar's daughter, Tengku Aishah, but they had no children. He died in 1808.
Once again, the leaders of Negri Sembilan went to Minangkabau in search of someone to replace their leader. The Raja of Pagar Ruyung at that time sent his son, Raja Lenggang. He wedded Raja Hitam's second daughter, Tengku Ngah, from another marriage. They had two sons—Tengku Radin and Tengku Imam.
Before he died in 1824, Raja Lenggang said it was his wish that Tengku Radin be made the Yam Tuan. This time, the datuk datuk undang did not embark on a trip to meet the Raja of Pagar Ruyong. Thus, for the first time in its history, Negri Sembilan had a hereditary leader.
Yam Tuan Radin ruled for 30 years before he died. Then, his brother, Yang di-Pertuan Imam, ruled for eight years.
When he died, Negri Sembilan was plunged into uncertainty when Yam Tuan Radin's son, Tengku Antah, and Yang di-Pertuan Imam's son, Tengku Ahmad Tunggal, scrambled for the throne.
The council did not want to accept Tengku Ahmad Tunggal, so Tengku Antah became ruler until 1888. His son, Tuanku Muhammad, later took over until his death in 1933.
Tuanku Muhammad's son, Tuanku Abdul Rahman
Tuanku Abdul Rahman
Colonel Paduka Sri Sir Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad, GCMG was the first Supreme Head of State of the Federation of Malaya, eighth Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Seri Menanti and second Yang di-Pertuan Besar of modern Negeri Sembilan.-Early career:Born Tunku Abdul Rahman at Seri...
, took over in 1933. Tuanku Abdul Rahman later became the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong
Yang di-Pertuan Agong
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained independence....
of Malaya
Federation of Malaya
The Federation of Malaya is the name given to a federation of 11 states that existed from 31 January 1948 until 16 September 1963. The Federation became independent on 31 August 1957...
in 1957.
The latter's son, Tuanku Munawir, ascended the throne in 1960 and ruled until 1967. When Tuanku Munawir died, his brother, Tuanku Ja'afar Tuanku Abdul Rahman
Tuanku Jaafar
Duli Yang Maha Mulia Almarhum Tuanku Ja'afar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman, GCB was the tenth Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia from 26 April 1994 until 25 April 1999 and the fourth Yang di-Pertuan Besar of modern Negeri Sembilan.-Early life and education:The second son of Tuanku Abdul Rahman...
, became the ruler of Negri Sembilan. Tuanku Jaafar also served as the tenth Yang di-Pertuan Agong
Yang di-Pertuan Agong
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained independence....
of Malaysia. During this period, Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan, one of the 13 states that constitutes Malaysia, lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, just south of Kuala Lumpur and borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the south....
was ruled by the regent, Y.A.M. Tunku Laxamana Tunku Naquiyuddin
Tunku Naquiyuddin
Yang Amat Mulia Tunku Laxamana Tunku Dato' Seri Utama Naquiyuddin Tuanku Ja'afar DK, DKYR, SPNS, SPMP, PPT, is the eldest son of Tuanku Jaafar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman, the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, who was also a former Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia...
. However, he was bypassed to the throne by the 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....
s in the favor of Tuanku Muhriz, who is the son of Tuanku Munawir and nephew of Tuanku Jaafar, and succeeded Tuanku Jaafar in 2008.
List of Yamtuan
- Raja MelewarRaja MelewarRaja Melewar was the first Yamtuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. He was a prince from the state of Minangkabau in Sumatra, Indonesia.-History:...
- The 1st Yam Tuan of Negeri Sembilan - Raja Hitam - The 2nd Yam Tuan of Negeri Sembilan (died 1808)
- Raja Lenggang - The 3rd Yam Tuan of Negeri Sembilan (died 1824)
- Yam Tuan Raden - The 4th Yam Tuan of Negeri Sembilan (died 1861)
- Yam Tuan Imam - The 5th Yam Tuan of Negeri Sembilan (died 1869)
- Tengku Antah ibni Yamtuan Radin - The 6th Yam Tuan of Negeri Sembilan/Sri Menanti (died 1888)
- Tuanku Muhammad Shah ibni Almarhum Tuanku AntahTuanku MuhammadIn full, Colonel His Highness Paduka Sri Sir Tuanku Muhammad Shah ibn al-Marhum Tuanku Antah, GCMG, KCVO, was the first Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, who ruled from 1888 to 1933. During his reign, Negeri Sembilan came under British protection in 1889 and became a Federated Malay State...
- The 7th Yang Di Pertuan Besar of Sri Menanti/Negeri Sembilan (died 1933) - Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tuanku MuhammadTuanku Abdul RahmanColonel Paduka Sri Sir Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad, GCMG was the first Supreme Head of State of the Federation of Malaya, eighth Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Seri Menanti and second Yang di-Pertuan Besar of modern Negeri Sembilan.-Early career:Born Tunku Abdul Rahman at Seri...
- The 8th Yang Di Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan and 1st Yang di-Pertuan AgongYang di-Pertuan AgongThe Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained independence....
(died 1960) - Tuanku Munawir ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman - The 9th Yang di Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan (died 1967)
- Tuanku Jaafar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul RahmanTuanku JaafarDuli Yang Maha Mulia Almarhum Tuanku Ja'afar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman, GCB was the tenth Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia from 26 April 1994 until 25 April 1999 and the fourth Yang di-Pertuan Besar of modern Negeri Sembilan.-Early life and education:The second son of Tuanku Abdul Rahman...
- The 10th Yang di Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan and 10th Yang di-Pertuan AgongYang di-Pertuan AgongThe Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained independence....
(died 2008) - Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir - The 11th Yang di Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan