REMBAU HISTORY, ETC. 53 
Hight (formerly of Four)’ chiefs prejudice his ruling, and the 
members of his own privy council (orang bésar wndang) 
represent the opinion of the warzs, but rarely indeed can the 
Chinese puzzle of the customary maxims be fitted to the exact 
pattern of an individual offence. The Undang then creates 
precedent. Hven should the offence be clearly classified, 
or the breach of custom proved wilful, the penalty sanctioned 
by custom may be varied by the Undany. The notched blade 
may be refashioned, says the adat, the broken blade 
re-welded.” But clemency is a prerogative of the Undang 
alone. A Lémbaga has no power whatever to remit or vary 
any customary penalty when once he has held formal enquiry 
into an alleged offence, and stated his finding. 
The reason for exclusion of the offences classified as 
* Pantang Undang” from the cognisance of the lémbaga 
throws further light on the nature of the Undang’s authority. 
These crimes classified in dual terms, agreeably to the usage 
of traditional sayings, differ in kind from the common 
“i offence.’ Their double aspect as forbidden acts, and as 
breaches of custom has already been remarked. 
They were regarded not as crimes against individuals, nor ~ 
as acts diminishing the wealth of a tribal corporation, but as 
outrages on the function either of their perpetrator or of the 
subject of the crime, in society as constituted under a tribal 
system of Government. The lémbaga who is merely the 
protector of tribal interests is unqualified to try such a case: 
and the fact, that such offences are Pantang Undang, and not 
primarily cognisable by the Raja, even during his nominal 
suzerainty over the state, strongly supports the view here 
taken of the dual significance of “ berkhalifah” as an attribute 
of the Undang’s authority. 
(1) vide chap. II. § 4 sub lembaga. 
(2)Sunbing buleh di titek patah buleh di gempal. 
(3) v. Saying XXXIT.-App. 1.3 of the pairs arenoticed by Lister 
J. R. A.-S. vol. XXIII. p. 147 but no attempt is made at an 
explanation. 
R,-A. Soc., No. 56, 1910. 
