TUANKU Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir, the 11th Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan, is the direct descendant of an unbroken line that dates back more than 200 years to Raja Lenggang, and before that, the Sultan of Pagar Ruyong in Sumatra.

Tuanku Muhriz was born on Jan 14, 1948, to Tuanku Munawir and Tuanku Durah. He was appointed Tunku Laxamana (second in rank amongst the Putera Yang Empat, the Four Princes) in 1960 before being elevated to the Tunku Besar Seri Menanti position, the most senior rank of the Four Princes, in 1961.

He held on to this title for 47 years before his installation as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar. Growing up in Negri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz had attended the Tuanku Muhammad School (TMS) in Kuala Pilah, Tunku Besar Tampin and King George V School in Seremban.

He went on to attend the Aldenham School in the United Kingdom, where he completed his O-Levels and A-Levels before reading law at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. He graduated with an LLB in 1970.

After returning to Malaysia, Tuanku Muhriz began his career that included stints in banking, financial services and advertising.

Tuanku Muhriz is a wellknown philanthrophist and staunch supporter of a myriad of charitable causes, but it is in his unrelenting commitment to expanding educational opportunities through his membership of the Board of Trustees of the Tinggi Foundation that stands out among his many achievements.

Tuanku Muhriz was also appointed to the board of a Malaysian-based public company as well as several companies with foreign interests operating in Malaysia. Prior to being proclaimed Yang di-Pertuan Besar, Tuanku Muhriz was also board member of a regional bank.

He married Tuanku Aishah Rohani on April 25, 1974, with the ceremonies held at Istana Maziah, Kuala Terengganu and the Istana Lama Seri Menanti, while the reception was held at Istana Munarah, Seremban.

They now have three princes: Tunku Besar Seri Menanti Tunku Ali Redhauddin, Tunku Zain Al’Abidin and Tunku Alif Hussein Saifuddin Al-Amin.

 

Ceremony and protocol

The installation ceremony of the 11th Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz ibni
Almarhum Tuanku Munawir, is a culmination of an almost yearlong process, beginning with the Proclamation of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar Dec 29, 2008, following the death of the late ruler, Almarhum Tuanku Jaafar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

In a process unique to Negri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz was elected to the position by the Four Ruling Chieftains (Undang Empat) of the districts of Sungai Ujong, Jelebu, Johol, and Rembau, from the four eligible Princes.

The installation began with the Ceremony to Emplace the Royal Regalia (Alat Kebesaran) in the forecourt of the Istana Besar Seri Menanti on Oct 22, 2009. The ceremony was carried out by the Ninety Nine Ceremonial Guards (Pegawai Sembilan Puluh Sembilan), and was witnessed by the Tunku Besar Seri Menanti.

This was followed by the Royal Bathing Ceremony (Istiadat Bersiram), involving both the Yamtuan and his wife, Tunku Ampuan Besar Tuanku Aishah Rohani.

Their Royal Highnesses were then carried from the Istana Besar Seri Menanti on the Royal Carriage (Takhta Rencana) to the Ceremonial Dais (Panca Persada), where the ceremony, carried out by the Senior Ceremonial Officers (Orang Empat Istana) took place.

The royal couple was then then escorted back to the Istana Besar Seri Menanti on the Royal Carriage.

The installation ceremony, takes place today at the Throne Room (Balairong Seri) of the Palace. The ceremony starts with the Four Ruling Chieftains arriving at the palace compound from their  respective transitory homes in the Seri Menanti area,  where they would have spent the previous night.

Once all the guests, including representatives of the Malay Rulers and the Governors of Penang, Malacca, Sabah and Sarawak, as well as the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, arrive at
the palace, the Yang di-Pertuan Besar would be escorted by the Senior Ceremonial Officers to inspect the Guard of Honour.

The installation ceremony is the third significant installation in Negri Sembilan this year. On April 14, the Royal consort was installed as queen, while the son, Tunku Ali Redhauddin was installed as the new Tunku Besar Seri Menanti.

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