The Tengku Mahkota of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, ordered that the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) and related agencies must obtain the Sultan of Pahang’s consent before conducting any military training or exercises in the state, especially on its islands. He cited concerns about potential disruption to Pahang’s natural ecosystem, including flora and fauna [1, 2, 3, 4]. "His Royal Highness expressed concern that the military activities could disrupt the natural ecosystem, flora and fauna of Pahang," the crown prince said [3].
Following the directive issued on May 24, 2026, the Malaysian Armed Forces publicly pledged full compliance. They emphasized adherence to all regulatory guidelines, operational procedures, environmental impact assessments, and the importance of strategic coordination with the Pahang state government, enforcement agencies, experts, and local communities in each training deployment [1, 2, 4]. "The MAF also recognises the importance of strategic cooperation with the state government, enforcement agencies, relevant experts, and local communities in every training deployment," the armed forces stated [4].
On May 25, the National Security Council (NSC) affirmed that all military exercises in Malaysia undergo rigorous approval, verification, and coordination processes involving state authorities, technical agencies, and the State Security Working Committee. The NSC also said it continually improves its standard operating procedures, safety protocols, and post-exercise impact assessments to balance defense needs with local sensitivities [5, 6].
The following day, the Regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, publicly reaffirmed his unwavering support for the Malaysian Armed Forces and military exercises. He condemned critics who use military matters for personal or social media gain and called for respect for military personnel and veterans. He said, "Military personnel should never be subjected to unnecessary obstacles in carrying out training and operational exercises that are vital to national defence and preparedness." He added that a superficial understanding of military service and constitutional matters reflects a failure to appreciate the sacrifices and discipline of armed forces members [7, 8].
The Johor state government also supports military exercises by providing space and cooperation, reflecting strong synergy between the royal institution, state government, and armed forces [9, 8, 10]. The Malaysian Armed Forces stressed that realistic field training is essential to maintain tactical competency and national defense readiness [9, 10].
The Armed Forces and the NSC reaffirmed their commitment to conducting all military activities professionally, responsibly, and in full compliance with legal and environmental requirements [1, 2, 5, 4, 6].
The next scheduled step involves continued coordination and compliance with the Pahang Sultan’s consent directive before any future military training or exercises take place in the state.
