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JUNE 7 — The people of Negeri Sembilan hold a justifiable, deep-rooted pride in Adat Perpatih. For centuries, this unique customary framework has defined the state’s identity, offering an extraordinary tradition of consensus, matrilineal democracy, and structural checks and balances.

However, for a society to function cohesively in a modern federation, it is vital to clarify a fundamental legal principle: traditional customs do not operate in isolation, nor do they supersede the supreme constitutional law of the state and the federal framework of Malaysia.

While customary sentiments run deep, public discourse must remain anchored to a universal truth: the ultimate goal of any governance framework—whether customary or statutory—is the preservation of objective justice.

A world in flux: The imperative for institutional stability

We live in an era of profound global uncertainty. On the international stage, we frequently witness the fragility of institutional order, the limitations of international legal bodies to maintain global harmony, and the shifting narratives that blur the lines between right and wrong.

In a world undergoing such rapid geopolitical and social transitions, local institutions have a heightened responsibility to project absolute stability, clarity, and adherence to established rules.

Complex internal disputes regarding state customary traditions should not be handled in a manner that creates administrative ambiguity or public anxiety. Instead, they require a calm, measured alignment with established legal processes.

The code of harmony within Adat Perpatih

Adat Perpatih was never intended to be an instrument of administrative friction or abrupt governance shifts. Historically, its very essence relies on muafakat (consensus), meticulous deliberation, and equity. When customary actions are perceived to bypass codified legal systems, it risks overshadowing the noble values the ancestors sought to protect. Any attempt to alter or challenge the standing of a state’s highest leadership must strictly mirror the fairness, transparency, and balance that Adat itself champions.

To act without these safeguards risks transforming a revered tradition into a tool of procedural instability.

Media practitioners are seen outside the Balai Undang Sungei Ujong in Seremban on April 30, 2026. — Bernama pic

The constitutional safeguards of a sovereign ruler

Under the modern legal framework of Malaysia, the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar is heavily protected by a dual layer of customary legitimacy and written statutory law. When faced with unprecedented procedural challenges, the legal recourse and structural protections available to the Ruler are clear:

First, the primacy of the written constitution dictates that in a constitutional monarchy, customary actions must be harmonized with the written law.

Article X of the Negeri Sembilan State Constitution establishes a clear, rigorous threshold for any leadership evaluation. It implicitly demands the application of natural justice—meaning a fair, transparent, and comprehensive enquiry where all sides are heard—alongside the formal concurrence of the state’s executive government.

Unilateral or non-statutory declarations completely lack constitutional efficacy.

Second, the principle of executive concurrence ensures that the state’s administrative apparatus and law enforcement agencies function under the authority of the constitution.

Without the statutory endorsement of the Menteri Besar and the recognition of the Federal Government, alternative customary declarations cannot translate into executive or legal reality.

Third, the strength of administrative continuity reinforces public confidence. By maintaining a dignified, calm, and consistent adherence to royal and constitutional duties, the reigning institution anchors the state.

Stability is maintained not through public friction, but through an unwavering commitment to the continuity of the state’s governance.

Conclusion: Aligning custom with the rule of law

Just as the global community requires clear frameworks to ensure fairness and prevent chaos, local governance demands a strict adherence to constitutional boundaries.

Customary laws like Adat Perpatih are a source of great cultural strength, but their survival and respect depend entirely on their alignment with the universal principles of natural justice and the written constitution.

The institutional integrity of Negeri Sembilan remains firmly protected when all parties prioritize procedural law over emotional sentiment, ensuring that justice remains the true cornerstone of the state.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.

TAPAH, June 7 — Female hiker Jaslinda Saludin, 49, who was found safe yesterday after going missing for 14 days at Gunung Batu Putih, remains in stable condition but requires further treatment and monitoring at Tapah Hospital.

Perak Health Director Datuk Dr Feisul Idzwan Mustapha said Jaslinda underwent a computed tomography (CT) scan at Teluk Intan Hospital early this morning as part of efforts to assess her condition.

“Initial examinations found that the victim did not suffer any serious injuries. However, she still requires close monitoring and several additional examinations to ensure her recovery progresses well,” he told Bernama when contacted today.

He said the duration of her hospital stay would depend on her recovery progress and the outcome of further medical assessments.

Jaslinda was found in a weak condition near Kampung Lubuk Gaharu, Pos Musoh, at about 5pm yesterday by a resident of the village.

She was reported missing while taking part in the Trans Spencer Chapman hiking expedition on May 23 along the Pos Gedung–Gunung Bah Gading–Gunung Batu Putih–Kuala Woh route with 13 other participants and two Forestry Mountain Guides. — Bernama

TAPAH, June 12 — A man in his 30s has been remanded for four days from today to assist investigations into a defamation case involving an Orang Asli village head (Tok Batin) of Kampung Lubuk Gaharu during a TikTok live stream.

Magistrate Nurul Hidayu Zakaria at the Magistrates’ Court here issued the remand order against the suspect, who arrived at court at about 8.50 am under police escort.

The case is being investigated under Section 500 of the Penal Code, Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, and Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955.

He was arrested at his home in Ipoh at about 1 pm yesterday following 11 police reports, Tapah district police chief Supt Abdul Malik Hasim said.

The man went viral during a live stream after claiming Tok Batin Mohd Asmmadi Abdullah had been “keeping” a hiker Jaslinda Saludin, for two weeks and that he would marry her if the matter had not gone viral.

The suspect had issued a video apology over the controversy involving the post.

Jaslinda, 49, was found safe by villagers in Kampung Orang Asli Lubuk Gaharu after going missing for 14 days while hiking Gunung Batu Putih. — Bernama

TAPAH, June 7 — The female climber who was found safe after going missing in the Gunung Batu Putih area, Jaslinda Saludin, 49, found two notes left by the search and rescue (SAR) team at Kem Air Busok during the operation.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) assistant director of operations, Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said the notes were with Jaslinda when she was found yesterday before being shown to the fire department.

“The note was left by a forestry mountain guide (MGP) known as Hafiz while conducting a search in the Kem Air Busok area on May 30.

“On that day, the search team focused on the route from Pos Musoh to Kem Air Busok and the note was left as an indication that the SAR team had passed through the area,” he said.

Sabarodzi said, based on information obtained, Jaslinda only arrived in the Kem Air Busok area on Friday (June 5), which is the day before she was found by Orang Asli residents in Kampung Lubuk Gaharu.

“The discovery of the note shows that Jaslinda had been near the route that the SAR team had travelled throughout the search operation,” he said.

One of the notes shared with the media read “Kak Jas please stay in one place, people are looking for you – Hafiz.”

Previously, Jaslinda was reported to have joined the climb with 13 other climbers and two MGP via the Trans Spencer Chapman route which started at 2 am, May 23 via the Pos Gedung-Gunung Bah Gading-Gunung Batu Putih-Kuala Woh route.

Jaslinda and another climber, Mohd Hanafi Neikmad, 41, were reported to have suffered health problems and stopped climbing. However, the supply chain executive at a private company is believed to have continued on to the summit before being last seen on May 24. — Bernama

TAPAH, June 1 — General Operations Force (GOF) personnel were airlifted today to assist in the search and rescue (SAR) operation for a female hiker who has been missing on Gunung Batu Putih near here since May 23.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Division assistant director Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said eight personnel from the GOF’s 3rd Battalion in Bidor were deployed into the search sector, with their involvement also prompted by safety concerns following the discovery of wild animal droppings in the area.

“The presence of the GOF not only enhances safety but also complements the operation through the expertise they bring,” he told Bernama and RTM at the Gunung Batu Putih SAR operations forward command post at the GOF 3rd Battalion headquarters in Bidor today.

He said the GOF personnel, together with eight members of JBPM’s Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team of Malaysia (STORM), eight Forestry Department personnel and mountain guides, were flown into the search area aboard an MI-17 helicopter, significantly reducing travel time compared with previous overland routes through Gunung Batu Bujang and Pos Kuala Woh.

Sabarodzi said it was still too early to determine whether today’s operation would be the final search phase, or “last flushing”, as a coordination meeting is scheduled for Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Perak JBPM director Datuk Sayani Saidon said SAR efforts remain focused on the area between Kem Kantoi and Gunung Rayu, involving personnel from JBPM, the Forestry Department, mountain guides and the GOF.

Sayani said communications with the team remained disrupted, believed to be due to their location in a valley with limited signal coverage.

He said SAR operations were continuing in the area between Kem Kantoi and Gunung Rayu involving personnel from JBPM, the Forestry Department, Forestry Mountain Guides and the GOF.

Any new developments would be assessed based on information retrieved from the trail camera brought down from the mountain, he added.

Meanwhile, Bernama was given the opportunity to board the MI-17 helicopter to observe the deployment of rescuers into the search area.

The flight from the forward command post to Kem Kantoi took about an hour and involved transporting two STORM members, three GOF personnel and a Forestry Department officer.

The rescuers, together with their equipment and backpacks, were lowered to the ground using a winching technique.

From an altitude of about 2,000 metres above sea level, the vast expanse of rugged terrain blanketed by dense forest highlighted the challenges facing search teams, with the thick green canopy making it difficult to spot anything from the air.

Jaslinda Saludin, 49, was among a group of 14 hikers and two Forestry Department mountain guides who began the Trans Spencer Chapman expedition at 2am on May 23 via the Pos Gedung-Gunung Bah Gading-Gunung Batu Putih-Kuala Woh route.

She and another hiker, Mohd Hanafi Neikmad, 41, reportedly experienced health issues and stopped during the climb. However, Jaslinda later continued towards the summit and was last seen by a mountain guide at about 7.30am on May 24. — Bernama

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1972 to 1978.

TAPAH, June 3 — The search and rescue (SAR) operation for missing hiker Jaslinda Saludin, 49, at Gunung Batu Putih here will continue on a smaller scale from tomorrow, led by the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM).

Tapah district police chief Supt Abdul Malik Hasim said the decision was reached at a SAR coordination meeting chaired by Batang Padang district officer Ahmad Redhauddin this afternoon.

“However, police will continue to monitor the situation and carry out further investigations into the victim’s disappearance at Gunung Batu Putih.

“We will take statements from the 14 individuals who participated in the hiking trip with the victim and anyone with information is urged to come forward and assist police in the search efforts,” he said at a press conference at the Tapah district police headquarters here today.

Tapah district police chief Supt Abdul Malik Hasim said the decision to scale down the operation was made at a SAR coordination meeting this afternoon. — Bernama pic

He said the SAR operation had involved various agencies, including the police, JBPM, the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM), the Forestry Department, personnel from the 3rd Battalion of the General Operations Force (GOF), Forestry Mountain Guides (MGP), as well as public volunteers.

Abdul Malik said the previous SAR operation, which lasted 11 days, involved a total of 116 personnel.

“So when we decided to scale down the operation, it will be led by the JBPM under its SAR SOP (standard operating procedure), with the assistance of local residents and NGOs (non-governmental organisations),” he said.

Abdul Malik added that the decision was made after 95 per cent of the Gunung Batu Putih hiking area had been searched during the SAR operation, using various methods deployed by the JBPM in efforts to locate the victim.

“(In addition), five personnel from JBPM and four from the 3rd Battalion of the GOF were injured, which is also one of the factors being taken into account,” he said.

Therefore, he said careful planning was required to avoid wastage of energy and to ensure the safety of rescuers involved in the SAR mission.

Abdul Malik said police probe so far had found no criminal elements in Jaslinda’s disappearance, however 13 individuals who joined the hiking trip were called to have their statements recorded to assist further investigations.

“I understand there has been a lot of talk on social media about Ah Long (loan sharks), but so far our investigation has found no criminal elements in Jaslinda’s disappearance. We are focusing on the search at Gunung Batu Putih,” he said.

He said, with that, the Forward Command Posts for the Gunung Batu Putih SAR operation at Surau At-Taqwa and the Sultan Idris II Power Station in Kuala Woh would be closed today.

Jaslinda was reported to have begun the Trans Spencer Chapman trek at 2am on May 23 with 13 other participants and two MGPs, via the Pos Gedung-Gunung Bah Gading-Gunung Batu Putih-Kuala Woh route.

She and another hiker, Mohd Hanafi Neikmad, 41, experienced health problems and stopped along the way. However, Jaslinda was reported to have continued towards the summit and was last seen by an MGP at 7.30am on May 24. — Bernama

IPOH, June 6 — The search and rescue (SAR) operation for Jaslinda Saludin, 49, who went missing in the Gunung Batu Putih area, has entered its 14th day without any new leads, although the search has continued on a smaller scale since Thursday.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Division assistant director Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said that throughout the operation, several items were found at various locations such as river areas, hill slopes and the paths taken, but after verification, it was confirmed that these items did not belong to the victim.

He said that as of Thursday, eight members of the Special, Tactical and Rescue Team of Malaysia (STORM) and two Forest Mountain Guides (MGP) were still involved in the search sector location, and all of them safely exited at 11.30 am.

“Yesterday, there were five search teams consisting of members from the Forestry Department and MGP who entered the search sector location.

“The group of Orang Asli community members who have been involved in the search since June 3 are still in the search sector, but it is reported that there have been no findings so far,” he said in a statement today.

Meanwhile, Sabarodzi said that so far, the Perak JBPM had received many volunteer applications to participate in the joint search, but through screening and coordination with Forestry Department officers, some applications had to be rejected.

“Among them (the factors for application rejection) are compliance with SOP (standard operating procedures), unsuitable time periods, insufficient equipment and facilities, as well as several other criteria,” he said.

However, he said that at the same time, there were also groups that had been allowed to participate in the search after their applications met the specified criteria.

In the meantime, through Facebook, the Perak JBPM also showed several search methods that have been carried out, including searches or reviews at several identified potential locations based on the information and clues obtained, as well as reciting the call to prayer.

In addition, the Perak JBPM also had to present the actual scenario to the public, especially to those who have never climbed a mountain or traversed thick forest paths like those at Gunung Batu Putih.

“What looks easy on the map or in pictures actually demands physical strength, mental endurance and high levels of experience. Steep, slippery, rocky paths filled with tree roots, rivers, and ravines become the main challenges that the SAR teams have to face every day,” according to the post.

Previously, the female climber was reported to have started the Trans Spencer Chapman trek at 2 am on May 23, along with 13 other individuals and two MGPs, via the Pos Gedung–Gunung Bah Gading–Gunung Batu Putih–Kuala Woh route.

Jaslinda and another climber, Mohd Hanafi Neikmad, 41, experienced health issues and stopped climbing, however, the supply chain executive at a private company was reported to have continued the journey to the mountain peak and was last seen on May 24. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 — Authorities will decide tomorrow whether to continue or call off the search and rescue (SAR) operation for missing hiker Jaslinda Saludin, who disappeared at Gunung Batu Putih on May 24.

According to Berita Harian, Perak Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said the decision would be made following a coordination meeting involving agencies involved in the operation.

He said the meeting, chaired by the Batang Padang district officer, would review the current status of the SAR mission, developments over the past 10 days and possible next steps.

“The meeting will discuss the current status and progress of the SAR operation, as well as follow-up actions after 10 days of search efforts,” he was quoted as saying.

The operation, now in its 10th day, has faced numerous challenges, including difficult terrain and unpredictable weather conditions.

Earlier, Jaslinda was reportedly captured on one of the surveillance cameras along the Gunung Batu Putih hiking trail, believed to be heading towards Kem Sukaneka on the day she was reported missing.

Authorities have also enlisted the help of the local Orang Asli community, with more than 20 residents from Kampung Orang Asli Ampang Woh deployed in small teams to search areas outside the main trail between Kem Sukaneka and Gunung Rayu.

Meanwhile, aerial search efforts have been hampered by clustered cloud cover, strong winds and limited space surrounded by dense forest.

Deputy Fire Superintendent II Mohd Hasrizal Kamaruzzaman previously said an MI-17 helicopter from the Fire and Rescue Department's Central Region Air Base had been deployed for winching operations.

The operation involved lowering and extracting 32 rescuers by cable in the Kem Sukaneka area as part of efforts to locate the missing hiker.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 4 — Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, today presented a RM30,000 cheque contribution to Sekolah Bimbingan Jalinan Kasih (SBJK) here.

The donation was bestowed during Her Majesty's visit to the school as part of celebrations marking the official birthday of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia.

Receiving Her Majesty on arrival were Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, the wife of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and Education Ministry secretary-general Datuk Wan Hashim Wan Rahim.

Her Majesty was presented with a traditional dance performance by SBJK students and took the opportunity to view their handicrafts and engage with teachers and pupils.

Earlier, Wan Hashim said in his speech that SBJK, which began operations in 2013, was established as a Ministry of Education initiative to provide vulnerable children in the Chow Kit area with access to quality education, to break the cycle of poverty and improve their quality of life.

“SBJK currently has 16 teachers and 158 pupils, ranging from preschool to secondary level,” he said, adding that the school had recorded commendable results in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination, with consistent improvements in performance since 2014 and a 100 per cent pass rate between 2022 and 2025.

“For the 2025 SPM examination, all 10 candidates from the school passed,” he said.

He said the school had also implemented the Zero Undocumented Students Programme (Zamrud) to ensure that all pupils possess valid identification documents.

The initiative was carried out in collaboration with the National Registration Department (JPN) through the Mekar Didik programme (designed to resolve documentation issues for students who lack essential identification), resulting in 61 pupils successfully obtaining their identification documents, he added. — Bernama

IPOH, June 6 — Hiker Jaslinda Saludin, 49, who went missing while trekking Gunung Batu Putih near Tapah on May 24, was found safe near Kampung Lubuk Gaharu, Pos Musoh, this afternoon.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department director Datuk Sayani Saidon said the private company supply chain executive was found by a villager, Nazri Bah Eng, at about 3 pm.

“Upon finding the victim, he informed his nephew in Johor, who then lodged a report with the authorities,” he said in a statement today.

He said Jaslinda was in a safe condition and had been temporarily placed at the residence of the Tok Batin of Kampung Lubuk Gaharu while the relevant authorities coordinated the next course of action.

Jaslinda was part of a group of 14 hikers and two Forestry Mountain Guides who began the Trans Spencer Chapman expedition at 2 am on May 23 via the Pos Gedung-Gunung Bah Gading-Gunung Batu Putih-Kuala Woh route.

She and fellow hiker Mohd Hanafi Neikmad, 41, reportedly encountered health problems and stopped the climb. However, Jaslinda later continued towards the summit and was last seen on May 24 before being reported missing. — Bernama