Kuala Lampur, May 11 -- MAY 11 - The following facts appeared in the judgment of Lord President Suffian in the case of Dato Menteri Othman Bin Baginda & Anor v Dato Ombi Syed Alwi Bin Syed Idrus [1981].

On November 20, 1979, when the 14th Undang of the luak of Jelebu died, his successor needed to be, in the words of Clause (1) of Article 14 (XIV) of the State Constitution, a person "lawfully elected in accordance with the custom of [his luak]". Until then, in accordance with the adat (custom) and constitution of the luak, Dato Menteri Othman bin Baginda (the First Defendant) became Acting Undang. The adat of the luak bound him to instruct Dato Ombi Syed Alwi bin Syed Idrus (the Plaintiff) one of the Dato Lembaga (Tribal Chiefs) of the lu...