A seven-member Federal Court bench today declined to rule over the controversial appointments of former chief justice Md Raus Sharif and former Court of Appeal president Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin, saying the matter is academic.

However, Chief Judge of Malaya, Justice Zaharah Ibrahim recused herself from delivering the decision as she was appointed after both former Chief Justice Md Raus Sharif and former Court of Appeal president Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin left...