Day of Jan di Pertuan Besar in Malaysia

On this day in 1948, Tuanku Muhriz, Yang Di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan was born. He was the only son of the former Yang Di-Pertuan Besar and was initially going to be elected in 1967 after his father’s death. However, due to only being 19 at that year, the council of Undangs decided on electing his uncle Tuanku Jaafar in his place.

Tuanku Muhriz then went to pursue an education in the U.K. and started work at a bank when he came back to Malaysia. Throughout his career, he still kept up to date with official engagements, be it by the government or non-government organizations. After his uncle’s death on December 27, 2008, the Council of Undang had declared him the 11th Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan.

Despite the low profile and largely unknown outside the royal circle, the majority of the Undangs were supportive in his candidacy. His loyal supporters speak of him as a well-spoken and educated man, with great strength of character while still leading a dignified and respectable life. Since ascending the throne, he has immersed himself in charitable work and believes that education plays an important role in making just decisions.