Traditionally, the Minangkabau who at the end of the 17th Century settled at Negeri Sembilan

Negeri Sembilan

Negeri Sembilan, one of the 13 states that constitutes Malaysia, lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, just south of Kuala Lumpur and borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the south....

, in present day Malaysia, chose from amongst themselves a "penghulu" or headman. Several of these penghulus, notably that of Sungai Ujong, Jelebu

Jelebu

Jelebu is second largest districts in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia after Jempol, consisting more than 40,000 in population. Jelebu borders with the Seremban district, Jempol district, Kuala Pilah district, Pahang and Selangor...

, Johol

Johol

Johol is a small town in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. The reigning Undang Luak of Johol is HAJI MOHD JAN BIN ABDUL GHANI .-External links:...

 and Rembau

Rembau

Rembau is a town within a district that shares the same name that is located in the state of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. With a population of 40,000 people the district is a stronghold of the matrilineal system known as adat perpatih, a customary practice inherited from the Minangkabaus, of...

, became powerful enough to exalt themselves above other penghulus. By the early part of the 18th Century, the leaders of these four districts started calling themselves Undang

Undang

An Undang is a ruling chief or territorial chief who still play an important role in the state of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. The name is believed to be derived from the Malay word undang-undang meaning law....

.