48 REMBAU HISTORY, ETC, 
Chapter II. 
Section 5, Undang (The Lawgiver). 
Sayings Nos. X and XI define the scope of the Undang’s 
power. He is the supreme authority in the State—as 
distinguished on the one sidé from the Tribe anl the other 
from the Confederation of States. Incapable of direct 
interference between a /émbaga and his tribe, he is not subject 
to the dictates of the Raja in the domestic affairs of his 
State. But though supreme, his power, ,as lacking natural 
sanction, is in practice far from autocratic. If free from the 
slavery of the lémbaga to precelent'-—his hands are tied not 
only by the gyves of custom (adat), but also by his council of 
Eight chiefs—and, in a much lesser degree, by the deference 
due to his special ‘advisers, the four orang bésar undang. 
His election is governed by a strict custom. The Undang 
is chosen in alternation from the two families of Jakun and 
Jawa. This rule is alludel to in the saying which describes 
the Undang as the coconut growing on the hill sprouting from 
its double eye.” The history of Rembau tells of nq exception 
to this rule, known as the yilirian Pérut (or giliran bésar) the 
rotation of families, except possibly during one period of 
Rembau History. The field of eligible candidates is further 
restricted, in theory, by the rule known as the gzliran kampong— 
or rotation of settlements. A Jakun warzs must belong to 
one of the four Jakun settlements of Kota, Chéngkau, Gadong 
or Tébat—and the Jawa family is similarly divided into the 
four settlements of Bukit, Pulau, Tanjong and Téngah. The 
rotation of settlements was designed to produce an even 
distribution of privileges in either family by securing the 
election of the Undang from each settlement in its turn. 
Kampong Bukit cannot provide a second Undang till Pulau, 
(1) v. Saying XXX App. I. 
(2) v. chap I. p. 4. 
(3) v. Saying IIL App. I. 
Jour. Straits Branch 
