In Negeri Sembilan, Dewan Keadilan dan Undang is the highest authority on ‘adat’ — Hafiz Hassan

On September 29, the Customary Land Tenure for Luak Tanah Mengandung and Lingkungan Customary Land Enactment 2022 (En 20 of 2022) became law in Negeri Sembilan. This Act, an An Act, outlines how customary land tenure should be administered for luak tanah mengandung and lingkungan customary land, as well as provisions connected to it.

The Preamble highlights the importance of luak tanah mengandung and lingkungan customary land to the Malay community in the state, which has traditionally been governed by immemorial custom. The Enactment states that the Torrens system, introduced before Malaysia's independence, was replaced by written laws to protect the ownership and interests of Perpatih Custom and Temenggung Custom communities.

Following the enactment, then Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun emphasized the need to update the laws governing luak tanah mengandung and lingkungan customary lands to better organize and systematize their administration. The primary objectives of the Enactment are to amend the Customary Tenure (Lengkongan Lands) Enactment 1960, provide a Malay language authoritative text, align the laws with current land developments, establish new provisions for luak tanah mengandung and lingkungan customary land development, and improve existing provisions for better understanding and implementation.

The Bill faced opposition, with concerns raised about its constitutionality and potential violation of the separation of powers between the civil and customary branches of government. ADUNs from Rantau and Linggi questioned the Bill's alignment with Dewan Keadilan's jurisdiction over Malay custom. However, the opposition abstained from voting "Noes" during the second and third readings, allowing the Bill to pass with 19 "Ayes" and 16 abstentions.