Negeri Sembilan is just about 50km south of Kuala Lumpur. Negeri Sembilan which literally means nine states or districts, has a mainly rural landscape with patches of urban development.
Once mostly agricultural the state’s economy now reflects a commercial balance between agriculture and industry with the development of several industrial parks in recent years Negeri Sembilan is noted for its strong Minangkabau influences which are evident in its kampung houses and official buildings.
The Minangkabau people migrated across the Straits of Malacca from Sumatra centuries ago and their traditional houses consist of sweeping roof peaks shaped like buffalo horns. Some examples of these influences can be seen in the St a t e Mosque and the State Secretariat Building. The Minangkabau people of Negeri Sembilan still practice the matrilineal social system known as the “adat perpateh” making the state the only one to adhere to such social norms. The state has one of the most accessible beaches closest to the federal capital known as Port Dickson, which is popular with weekenders. But besides this famous beach, in the way of sightseeing, there is a little bit of everything for everyone, from the history buff to the nature lover.
