Lawyers have opined that the Pahang crown prince’s recent decree requiring the armed forces to obtain royal assent before conducting military exercises in the state is constitutionally baseless, with his Johor counterpart also appearing to pour cold water on the move.

Citing the Federal Constitution, lawyer Zaid Malek highlighted that Part 1, Section 1(2) of the Eighth Schedule lists the matters in which a ruler may act at his own discretion - none of which cover dictating the conduct of military exercises.