High Court blocks Negeri Sembilan bid to evict traditional Undangs

SEREMBAN — The High Court has rejected two separate applications filed by the Negeri Sembilan state government seeking to evict Undangs, or traditional village chiefs, from their official halls and residences.

The court's dismissal of both applications on Friday represents a significant setback for the state administration's efforts to remove the customary leaders from their longstanding positions and premises.

The Undangs have maintained their presence in the official halls and residences as part of their hereditary roles within Negeri Sembilan's traditional governance structure. The state government's eviction bid had prompted legal challenges from the affected Undangs, who argued that their positions and rights to occupy these premises were protected under customary law and state constitutional arrangements.

The High Court's decision affirms the legal standing of the Undangs and their entitlements to the disputed properties. The ruling underscores the judiciary's recognition of traditional leadership structures and their constitutional protections within the state's administrative framework.

The case highlights ongoing tensions between modern state administration and traditional governance systems in Malaysia, with courts increasingly called upon to adjudicate disputes involving customary leaders and government authority.