Constitutional lawyer Dominic Puthucheary said it was a serious matter to mislead Parliament, adding that the government had also misled the King.

He also said this fault could not be attributed to law minister Takiyuddin Hassan alone, as the supposed revocation was done in the name of the government.

“Therefore, there’s collective responsibility. This means that the prime minister and the whole Cabinet was involved.

“The issue of the Emergency is very important. It’s one of the most unusual provisions in the constitution and has to be responsibly executed. If the government fails to do so, then they are acting in bad faith and, therefore, must resign,” he told FMT.

Puthucheary, who described Muhyiddin as a mere de facto prime minister, said that if he fails to act honourably and resign, the King could withdraw his appointment.

Meanwhile, lawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla said the government’s actions were in “complete disrespect” of the King, the Federal Constitution, Parliament and the people.

He told FMT its actions were tantamount to abuse of power, since it had misled the Dewan Rakyat and the people.

“The question of the government’s majority has become a side issue, now that Parliament has been sitting in complete disregard to the constitution and the King,” he said.

“There is no other option but for the prime minister and the government to step down. This is the only correct decision.”

Earlier, Istana Negara said Putrajaya did not get the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s consent to revoke the emergency ordinances when Takiyuddin announced the revocation on Monday.

The King said the minister’s statement in Parliament on Monday was “inaccurate” and misled the MPs.