one 7 Se : 
MALAY LAW IN NEGRI SEMBILAN. 
and the right one, was recognised by the Raja and by the 
Dato’ of Johol. The other one had half the State on his side, 
but he was really wrong though he had a grievance. In the 
origin of things there were two families in Terachi who ruled. 
A former Penghulu had formally renounced the office for his 
family. He was avery strict Muhammadan and did not consider 
that such worldly things as office should be entertained in his 
family. Thus the office devolved entirely on the other family 
forelection. This was ratified. The descendants, however, of 
this devout Mussulman did not view the matter in the same 
light. There was a good deal of trouble on this score in old 
days and a settlement was arrived at of creating an officer in 
the exempted family to be called “ Andatar.’”’ This smoothed 
matters for a time. 
For some years, however, previous to 1887 the conflict be- 
tween the two families had broken out with renewed vigour, 
hence the two Penghulu. 
The question was referred to the Resident, it was referred 
to the Raja, and a decision was after considerable antagonism 
from the family of the Penghulu holding office, eventually 
arrived at. 
It was this, that the old custom should be reverted to; 
that the two families should take it in turn for the Penghulu- 
ship and equally so for the office of Andatar. There was a 
great feast and many rites were gone through, many proverbs, 
wise saws and Menangkabau legal phrases quoted, and the 
thing was done. There has been no difficulty since. 
Here again is a case that has only been referred to as hav- 
ing created ill-feeling, but which illustrates the Baten influence 
in State matters. Baten Gemala, the principal Baten of Johol, 
who lives some miles in the interior on the left bank of the 
Muar River, was induced, in consequence of a number of his 
people becoming Muhammadans and of other Muhammadan 
settlers arriving in the rantaus (reaches ) of the Muar River 
above Segamat called Muar, to consider recently the ad- 
visability of bringing forward a Penghulu. 
The Penghulus of States having by origin been brought into 
office by the Baten, this was no doubt constitutionally correct, 
