The sister of the Sultan of Pahang was stabbed to death by a relative who "ran amok", a report said today.

The Star daily reported on its website that Tengku Putri Kamariah Sultan Abu Bakar and her husband, Tunku Ismail, were stabbed by an unidentified relative.

According to China Press , the said relative was suspected to be the victim's son.

Her husband was brought to a hospital in Kuantan to be treated for stab wounds. The attacker was taken to the same hospital under heavy police guard.

Case under investigation

Pahang police confirmed that there had been a murder in the royal family, and that the suspect was "a relative" who was later taken into custody.

"We can confirm the report, but the case is still under investigation so I cannot say anything or give any details," Pahang Criminal Investigations Department Chief T. Narenasagaran told AFP .

"A press statement by the Pahang police chief will be released later in the evening. I am not authorised to say anything more at the moment," he said.

It is not known what triggered the attack.

Each of Malaysia's states has its own royal family. Under the country's unique revolving monarchy, the nine state sultans take five-year turns in the largely ceremonial role.