The Federal Court today ruled that jailed opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim need not be present for his challenge against three laws that abrogate the mandatory requirement for bills to be assented by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Chief Justice Md Raus Sharif, who led the bench in dismissing the ex-parte application by lawyer Latheefa Koya for the PKR de facto leader, said it is not a necessity for Anwar to be present in the application for leave...