JELEBU.
The following Notes, regarding the history of the constitution of Jelebu have been compiled from information gleaned from the headmen of the State.[1]
The four following countries—(1) Jelebu, (2) Sungei Ujong, (3) Rembau, and (4) Johol—were in former days governed by Penghulus subject to the suzerainty of Johor.
On one occasion the Raja of Johor was guilty of an act of gross oppression towards the Penghulu of Rembau entitled Orang Kaya Kĕchil. The Raja of Johor wished to obtain in marriage this Penghulu's daughter, but the Penghulu refused and married her to another. The Raja's auger was roused at this, and the Penghulu, hearing of his indignation sent his own son Siâmat (sic) to explain matters to the Raja and to endeavour to appease his wrath.
The Raja, however, would not listen to Siâmat, but ordered him to be put to death.
After this the Penghulus of the four States were afraid to go to the Court of the Raja, owing to this unjust act.
After some time, however, the headman of Jelebu took courage to appear before him. Now this headman's name was Munyong Salih, and his title was Orang Kaya of Sungci Lumut. The name of Jelebu was as yet unknown: and it was not until some time later that the country was so called after a man of that name who was drowned in the river (Triang). This headman of Jelebu, then, went to the Court of the Raja of Johor, who presented him with a chop bearing the following inscription :–
- "The Sultan Ma‘aḍam Shah confers upon the Mandelika Mantri supreme authority to be the Sultan of Jelebu for ever."
- ↑ The first division of this paper is, I need hardly point out, a literal translation of the story verbally communicated to me by Malays.—H. A. O'B.
