52 REMBAU HISTORY, ETC. 
enhancing his power as constitutional head of the federation 
of tribes. The high marriage fees payable to a béduanda 
bride, the peculiar penalty exacted for the murder of a Waris,” 
and the impossibility of a Warzs passing by adoption into 
another tribe,’ prove that the Waris was, as such, invested 
with some degree of personal sanctity. The constitutional 
‘authority of the Undang was thus hedged around with 
sentiment. 
The alleged assumption, then, by the Undang, on the 
expulsion of the Raja from Rembau in 1836, A. D. of 
prerogatives elsewhere claimed as peculiar to the Raja—such 
as the power of fining up to 66 kwpang, and the rights over 
illegitimate children, was warranted, if not by his position 
as constitutional head of the federation of tribes, then by his 
rights as the supreme wars négérv. His birth gave him the 
right to © resheathe the drawn dagger.” * Whether or not 
individual holders of the office found themselves able to 
exercise that right in every instance is a question that does 
not affect constitutional theory. The expulsion of the Raja 
was even less consistent with his theoretical eminence. 
The Undang’s power is secondly distinguished from that 
of the Lémbaga as © berkhalifah.” In his own State he is the 
vicegerent of God—head of the church as well as of the state. 
Till quite recent years (1889) the office of Kathi did not exist 
in Rembau: and the civil powers now delegated to the Kathi 
were exercised by the Undang. But the quality “bérkhalifah”’ 
is also construed secularly. The Jémbaga is the slave of 
precedent” but custom does not lie so heavily on the Undang. 
It is not so stiff as to make innovation impossible for him. 
His orders, issued in the audience hall® are it is true strictly 
limited by a crystalized custom, the views of the council of 
(1) v. Appendix LV. (2) v. chap. IIL. p. sub hulor balas. 
(3) v. chap III. sub adoption. 
(4) Kalau keris dichabut sahia yang sarongkan, vy. Lister 
(J. k. A. S. vol. XXII p. 307) who denies the Undang this power. 
(5) v. Saying XXX App. TI. 
(6) v, Saying XI App. I, bersahda di balai. 
Jour, Straits Branch 
