Malaysian princess confirmed dead

As Muslims Malaysia's princes can have up to four wives

By Jonathan Kent BBC correspondent in Kuala Lumpur

Police in Malaysia have confirmed that a body found on Friday is that of a kidnapped Malaysian princess.

Twenty-six-year-old Hazleza Ishak, who was known as Princess Leza, was found with her hands and feet tied beneath a bridge in the state of Perak, north of Kuala Lumpur.

The former model and actress was the second wife of Raja Jaafar Raha Muda Musa, 62, who is second in line to the throne of Perak.

Police have arrested seven men and a woman in connection with the murder. According to the New Straits Times, police have questioned several members of the Perak royal family which claims descent from Alexander the Great.

However, police have denied that a woman arrested is a member of the family.

Raja Jaafar was photographed as he arrived at a hospital in the state capital, Ipoh, on Saturday to collect his wife's remains.

Abducted

Hazleza's mother Salamah said she had been at her daughter's home last Sunday and had seen her daughter abducted as she tried to drive away from the house.

"I looked out and noticed two men dragging Hazleza from her car and bundling her into a van before speeding off,¿ she told the New Straits Times.

Princess Leza's partly decomposed body was found five days later, clad in jeans and brassiere in a remote beauty spot.

The former fashion model appeared in a local movie, "Putera", several years ago.

Princess Leza is said to be a divorcee and is variously reported as having one or two children from her previous marriage.

Palace sources say she married Raja Jaafar in January this year.

Rotating throne

It is not uncommon for Malay princes to take celebrity wives.

Three weeks ago, Tunku Azudinshah Tunku Anuar, 33, a TV producer and the nephew of the Sultan of Kedah, married the Anglo-Malaysian VJ, TV presenter and celebrity Paula Malai Ali.

Nine of Malaysia's states have royal families and the nine rulers take it in turns to be head of state with the title passing to a new king or yang di-pertuan agong every five years.

Malaysian royals are treated with considerable deference and lead privileged lives.

Although the rulers wield very little political power they play a prominent ceremonial role.

It is widely considered taboo to criticise them.

However the news of Princess Leza's murder has been widely reported and it is likely to be the topic of conversation in Malaysia for days to come.