Negeri Sembilan: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Map showing Negeri Sembilan in Peninsular Malaysia

Negeri Sembilan (also Negri Sembilan), meaning "nine states" in Malay, is a state of Malaysia. It is located on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, just south of Kuala Lumpur.

The name is believed to derive from the nine districts or "nagari" (now known as "luak") settled by the Minangkabau, a people originally from West Sumatra (present-day Indonesia). Minangkabau features are still visible today in traditional architecture and the dialect of Malay spoken. Unlike the hereditary monarchs of the other royal Malay states, the ruler of Negeri Sembilan - known as Yang di-Pertuan Besar - is selected by the council of undang who lead the four biggest districts of Sungai Ujong, Jelebu, Johol and Rembau.

The capital of Negeri Sembilan is Seremban. The royal capital is Seri Menanti in Kuala Pilah district. Other important cities are Port Dickson and Nilai. The Arabic honorific of the state is Darul Khusus ("the Special Abode").

The current Yang di-Pertuan Besar is Tuanku Jaafar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman, born 1922, who was elected in 1967.

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