The Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan

Negeri Sembilan literally means “The Nine States”, a federation states which traditionally consist of Nine States in its peak. Nevertheless, only 5 remain in the states today. Some of the other states currently became districts in the neighboring states. Negeri Sembilan stands as the only elective monarchy state in Malaysia. Officially, the ruler of Negeri Sembilan is styled as :-

Ke Bawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Tuanku (personal name) ibni (father’s name) Yang Dipertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus

His Royal Highness, the Highest Lord of Negeri Sembilan

Here is the list of the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan since 1888.

TUANKU MUHAMMAD SHAH
(1888 - 1933)

HRH Tuanku Muhammad Shah ibni Almarhum Tuanku Antah was the seventh Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan. He was born at Istana Lama Seri Menanti on 25^th April 1865. He was the eldest son of Tuanku Antah ibni Almarhum Tuanku Nasiruddin by his first wife, Cik Halima. He was bestowed the title of Tunku Putra by his father in 1870. Later, he was promoted as Tunku Besar in 1882. He succeeded the throne on the death of his father as Yang Dipertuan Besar of Sri Menanti, Johol, Ulu Muar, Jempol, Terachi, Gunung Pasir and Inas on 22^nd October 1888. During his reign, his concluded the Treaty of Friendship and Protection with the British Crown on 18^th March 1889. Later, he signed the treaty of establishing a confederacy of Negeri Sembilan comprising of Sri Menanti, Johol, Ulu Muar, Jempol, Terachi, Gunung Pasir, Inas, Rembau and Tampin on 13^th July 1889. He was installed as the Yang di-Pertuan of Negeri Sembilan at Istana Lama Seri Menanti at 8^th December 1889.

He acceded to treaty of establishing the Federated Malay States, together with the Ruler of Sungai Ujong and Jelebu on 28^th July 1895. Later, the confederation converted into a unitary state on 29^th April 1898. He was formally installed as the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan at Istana Lama Seri Menanti on 7^th May 1898. He ruled Negeri Sembilan for 45 years. He died at Istana Besar Seri Menanti on 1^st August 1933 and was buried at Royal Cemetery, Seri Menanti.

TUANKU ABDUL RAHMAN
(1933 - 1960)

HRH Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad was the eighth Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan. He was born at Istana Lama Seri Menanti on 24^th August 1895. He was the second son of Tuanku Muhammad ibni Almarhum Tuanku Antah by his second wife, Tunku Halija ibni Tunku Muda Chik. He was granted the title as Tunku Muda Serting in 1912. He was elected as the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan on the death of his father on 2^nd August 1933. He was installed at Istana Lama Seri Menanti on 25^th April 1934. During his reign, Negeri Sembilan was transferred to Malayan Union on 1^st April 1946 and later Federation of Malaya on 21^st January 1948.

He was elected as the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong (the Supreme Ruler) of Malaya on 31^st August 1957. He was installed at Kuala Lumpur on 2^nd September 1957. He ruled Negeri Sembilan for 27 years. He died at Istana Negara, Kuala Lumpur on 1^st April 1960 and buried at Royal Cemetery, Seri Menanti.

TUANKU MUNAWIR
(1960 - 1967)

HRH Tuanku Munawir ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman was the ninth Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan. He was born at Kuala Pilah on 29th March 1922. He was the eldest son of Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad by his first wife, Tunku Maharunnisa binti Tunku Membang. He was granted the title as Tunku Muda Serting on 6^th July 1934. He was promoted as Tunku Laksamana on 25^th April 1937. He served as the Regent of Negeri Sembilan during the absence of his father overseas from 31^st August 1954 until November 1954, and again in Kuala Lumpur from 3^rd September 1957 until 5^th April 1960. He was proclaimed as the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan on the death of his father on 5^th April 1960. He was installed at Istana Besar Seri Menanti on 17^th April 1961. He ruled Negeri Sembilan for 7 years. He died at Istana Hinggap, Seremban on 14^th April 1967 and buried at Royal Cemetery, Seri Menanti.

TUANKU JAAFAR
(1967 - 2008)

HRH Tuanku Ja’afar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman was the tenth Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan. He was born at Klang, Selangor on 19^th July 1922. He was the second son of Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad by his second wife, Cik Engku Maimunah binti Abdullah. He was granted the title as Tunku Muda Serting in 1947. He was proclaimed as the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan on the death of his brother on 19^th April 1967. He was installed at Istana Besar Seri Menanti on 8^th April 1968.

He was elected as the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia on 19^th June 1979 until 1984. He was re-elected again as the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia for the second term on 2^nd March 1989. He was elected as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Supreme Ruler) of Malaysia on 16^th April 1994. He serves as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Supreme Ruler) for full 5-year term until 24ft April 1999, and returned to rule Negeri Sembilan. He ruled Negeri Sembilan for 41 years. He died in Tuanku Jaafar General Hospital, Seremban on 27^th December 2008 and buried at the Royal Cemetery, Seri Menanti.

TUANKU MUHRIZ
(2008 - present)

HRH Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir is the eleventh Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan. He was born at Kuala Pilah on 14^th January 1948. He was an only son of Tuanku Munawir ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman by his first wife, Tengku Durratun Nafisa Aziba binti Tunku Besar Burhanuddin. In 1960, he was appointed as Tunku Laksamana. He was promoted to the title of Tunku Besar Seri Menanti on 26^th December 1961. He was proclaimed as the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan on the death of his uncle on 29^th December 2008. He was installed at Istana Besar Seri Menanti on 26^th October 2009.