The King, they said, could seek independent legal counsel to invoke Article 130 of the Federal Constitution.
This would allow for the Federal Court’s opinion to be obtained on the provisions of the Constitution “that would enable Parliament to reconvene in the face of the Executive branch’s refusal to discharge its constitutional duty”.
The group said that as prime minister, Muhyiddin Yassin held the authority to initiate the necessary procedures to reconvene Parliament.
“The failure to advise the King accordingly and act expeditiously will not only be a clear refusal to acknowledge the decree of both the King and the Rulers, but also could be construed as a move to govern the country as an unconstitutional and illegitimate authority,” they said in a statement.
The statement was released by Bait Al-Amanah, Bersih 2.0, the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs, Engage, Institute for Political Reform and Democracy, Persatuan Pengundi Muda and Pusat Komas.
They went on to urge all menteris besar and chief ministers to seek advice on the reconvening of their respective state assemblies.
They also called on science, technology and innovation minister Khairy Jamaluddin to immediately prioritise vaccination for all personnel working in Parliament and state assemblies.
This, they said, was a “practical and concrete step” towards paving the way for the reopening of Parliament and all state assemblies.
“Delay in this aspect may be construed as a deliberate move to delay the opening of Parliament and the state assemblies.”
The King, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, said yesterday that he wanted Parliament to reconvene as soon as possible as it would allow MPs to debate the Emergency Ordinance and the government’s National Recovery Plan 2021.
The Malay Rulers, who met yesterday, also said there was no need for the nation to remain under a state of emergency after Aug 1 and wanted state assemblies to also reconvene as soon as possible.
Earlier today, Putrajaya said it would take the necessary steps, based on the constitution and laws, following the King’s call.