Bt 
MALAY LAW IN NEGRI SEMBILAN. 
Baten Gemala brought the individual whom he had selected to 
the Dato’ of Johol in order that the Dato’ should recognise 
this new Penghuluship. The Dato’ of Johol did so. He 
thought it would conduce to a settled population in Muar, 
where formerly, like on many other rivers, the people of the 
“Rantau” had been nomadic, moving from ‘‘rantau” to 
“rantau” and never permanently settling. The Penghulu of 
Ladang, however, whose ancestors before him had always ruled 
this district under the Penghulu of Johol, was much annoyed 
at this new departure and the result was quarrels and jea- 
lousies. Penghulu Muar died a short time ago and the Dato’ 
of Johol will not make further experiments in accepting a 
Baten Penghulu. 
The case of the Raja di Muda of Terachi, Lembaga of the 
tribe of Beduanda, is not without interest. It was decided on- 
ly recently, but may be quoted as showing how the Chief of a 
tribe must recognise the Penghulu and cannot depart from the 
usages and customs required of him in his office. I would 
remark parenthetically that the titles Raja di Muda, Beginda 
Maharaja, &c., are only titles of commoners not of Rayjas. 
These titles are derived from the Menangkabau customs of 
‘‘gélaran ” which | shall make mention of further on. 
An important case of inheritance of personal not euiniled 
property occurred in Terachi. The case came to the Peng- 
hulu in appeal. The Penghulu gave his decision in the case. 
The decision was given against the Raja di Muda tribe. Raja 
di Muda considered himself ill-treated and the Penghulu him- 
self brought the case before the Resident, who decided in fa- 
vour of the Penghulu’s decision, but modifying the Penghulu’s 
decision in consultation with the Penghulu himself. From that 
date Raja di Muda has placed himself in every State matter in 
opposition to the Penghulu and has become a violent ob- 
structionist. The Penghulu for some time took no notice of 
this, but at last a serious constitutional error was recorded 
amongst the many acts of Raja di Muda. The mother of an 
officer with the title of Mendika and of the tribe of which Raja 
di Muda was Chief, died. Mendika is what is termed the 
“ Tiang Balei” of the Penghulu, that is, the centre post of the 
