IT is unusual for a case of such high public interest like Najib Razak’s to take almost six months to be heard, said Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“Whether he is carrying out delaying tactics or not, the fact remains that it has taken about six months for the case to come for hearing.

“That is unusual. Public interest cases such as this must be heard as quickly as possible,” the prime minister told reporters in Kuala Lumpur today.

“If you delay, you won’t get the full benefits of the trial,” he added.

He was referring to Najib’s trial for seven charges related to SRC International Sdn Bhd, which kicked off yesterday despite last-minute attempts by the defence to delay the trial by filing a motion on points of law.

Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali had questioned why the motion on the points of law was only filed yesterday when the charges were filed against Najib last August.

“This motion was presented today while charges filed last August. No requirement to hear the motion now and hence the trial should start now,” said the judge.

After hearing evidence from the first prosecution witness, the trial was fixed to be heard from April 15 to May 10.

However, Najib has another round of legal battle in the federal court tomorrow to delay the trial pending the conclusion to several interlocutory applications relating to the case. – April 4, 2019.