Former premier Najib Abdul Razak's supporters heckled attorney-general Tommy Thomas when he addressed the media in English.

The supporters urged Thomas to speak in Bahasa Malaysia instead.

They chanted "Melayu! Melayu!" when Thomas attempted to address the large group of reporters at the lobby of the Jalan Duta court complex in Kuala Lumpur.

Chants of "Hidup Najib" (Long live Najib) and "Allahu-Akhbar" were also heard.

Eventually, Thomas had to leave the area.  

He later went back up to the fifth floor and addressed the media gathered outside the courtroom where Najib earlier claimed trial.

"We were a little surprised. On hindsight we should have just come outside (the courtroom) and spoke to you folks earlier," he said when asked for comments on the commotion downstairs.

"We were quite happy to answer questions but it must be done in a civilised manner," he added.

Police personnel eventually managed to persuade the 50-odd supporters to leave the area.

Ironically, many of the placards held by Najib supporters outside the court complex were in a mix of Chinese and English.

Among others, the supporters included Wanita Umno head Noraini Ahmad, Umno supreme council member Lokman Noor Adam and actress Ellie Suriaty.

After assuming the position of attorney-general earlier this month, Thomas had promised to brush up on his command of the national language.

He said decades as a private lawyer, specialising in commercial affairs, had led him to neglect the use of Bahasa Malaysia.

Earlier this morning, Najib claimed trial to one count of abusing his power as a public servant to receive gratification amounting to RM42 million.

He also faces three counts of criminal breach of trust over the same matter.

For each charge, he can be jailed for up to 20 years.