Article VII

There shall be a Yang di-Pertuan Besar of the

State to exercise the functions and powers of a Ruler in accordance with this Constitution and who shall take precedence over all other persons in the State.

The Yang di-Pertuan Besar shall be such person as shall be elected by the Undangs of the territories of

Sungai Ujong, Jelebu, Johol and Rembau in the manner hereinafter provided and in accordance with the custom of the State.

No person shall be elected as Yang di-Pertuan

Besar of the State unless He shall be a male of the

Malay race, of sound mind and professing the religion of the State, who is a lawfully—begotten descendant in the male line of Raja Radin ibni Raja Lenggang.

5

Interpretation.

Religion of the State.

Council of

Muslim

Religion.

The Yang di-Pertuan

Besar.

Absence from the

State.

Abdication.

Upon the death of a Yang di-Pertuan Besar, leaving male issue him surviving, the Undangs of the territories of Sungai Ujong, Jelebu, Johol and Rembau shall forthwith choose a successor from among the said male issue:

Provided that if, in the opinion of the said Undangs, there is no suitable and competent person among the said male issue, then a person shall be chosen from the first of the following classes or failing, in their opinion, any suitable and competent person in that class, then from the second and subsequent classes in the order stated, that is to say—

Firstly, the brothers of the deceased

Yang di-Pertuan Besar;

Secondly, the paternal uncles of the deceased Yang di-Pertuan Besar;

Thirdly, the grandsons of the deceased

Yang di-Pertuan Besar;

Fourthly, the sons of the brothers of the deceased

Yang di-Pertuan Besar;

Fifthly, the sons of the paternal uncles of the deceased Yang di-Pertuan Besar.