A member of the Terengganu royal family has filed a lawsuit against two banks to recover RM1.985 million in savings allegedly lost through a series of unauthorised transactions between September and December last year.
Tengku Ismail Tengku Ibrahim, 65, said he discovered the loss in early January when he checked his accounts at a bank counter and found that one account had a balance of only RM73, while another contained approximately RM99.
He believes the money was withdrawn in small amounts through repeated transactions until almost all his savings had disappeared.
Tengku Ismail said he sought an explanation from bank staff after discovering the missing funds, but the responses failed to clarify how the money had been transferred out of his accounts.
“I then appointed a lawyer to send formal letters to both banks seeking further clarification on the transactions.
“However, to this day, I have yet to receive an explanation that answers how the money could have been withdrawn from my accounts,” he told reporters outside the Kuala Terengganu Court Complex.
He also claimed he was informed that police had arrested several individuals believed to be linked to the recipient accounts used in the transactions.
His lawyer, Alif Danial Ahmad Shahrulnizam, said the disputed transactions were believed to have taken place in stages between September and December 2025, resulting in total losses of RM1,985,065.
He said transactions involving one account were believed to have occurred between September and October 2025, while those involving the other bank began around September that year.
Alif Danial said his legal team had previously contacted both banks for clarification but decided to pursue legal action after failing to receive satisfactory responses.
The writs of summons against both banks were served on October 8, with case management scheduled for October 14 and October 19, respectively.
He said the claims seek the recovery of the missing funds, along with other related damages.
The substantial financial loss had also affected his elderly client, causing him anxiety and trauma, he added.
Alif Danial said police were investigating the case and his team was awaiting further developments.
“We want our client’s money returned and an explanation of how these transactions could have occurred.
“However, the allegations of negligence in the handling of the transactions must be proven through court proceedings,” he said.
Mohd Hazwan Hamidun of Messrs Rafaei & Co is also representing the plaintiff.
