Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstra13141884roya).pdf/384

 And this is the form of words that has been used from generation to generation by the Penghulus who have governed the country of Jelebu.

The Raja of Johor further issued instructions to the Penghulu, that from that time forth the Penghulus of Jelebu and of the other three States were not to bring their complaints before Johor.

Thereupon the four Penghulus made an arrangement to create a Raja of their own, and chose a man of the royal blood of Menangkaban, who on his election abode in the country of Sri Menanti.

The place where the election of this Raja occurred was Pětâjeh, and hence arises the old Malay saying: "The source of royal power is Pětâjeh; the place where it dwells is Sri Menanti." A Yam Tuan Muda in Rembau, and a Yam Tuan Besar in Sri Menanti, such was the (new) order of things, and the four Penghulus no longer took their complaints to Johor, but to Sri Menanti, and had thus a Menangkabau man as their ruler.

At that time there was no Yam Tuan in Jelebu, but the Penghulu held sway in that country, and this state of things continued for a long time.

At length the Yam Tuan of Sri Menanti, who had a number of sons, sent one of them to Jelebu, merely to take up his abode there and to till the ground. His conduct was long watched by all the officers of Jelebu, and they saw that it was very good. His behaviour towards the people was good, and he seemed to be a man capable of supporting and sustaining the country. He was also a man of considerable mental ability, and his personal character was beyond reproach.

Accordingly all the officers met together and notified to the Penghulu their intention of making the Yam Tuan's (Sri Menanti) son their supreme ruler.

He was accordingly elected with the title of Yam Tuan of Jelebu, with the duties of protector of the inhabitants of that country. He did not, however, receive any jurisdiction in the country, and the Penghulu and the officers contributed to his support, each man as much as he could afford.