The Court of Appeal has rejected an application by prosecutors and defence lawyers to postpone the trial against Najib Abdul Razak for corruption and laundering of RM2.28 billion in funds from 1MDB.

Unless further appeals are successful, Najib's 1MDB trial will begin on Aug 19, and will likely clash with his ongoing trial on matters concerning SRC International Sdn Bhd.

The three-member Court of Appeal bench led by Abdul Rahman Sebli said both the prosecution and defence should apply for a postponement only when the clash actually occurs.

The other two judges on the panel were Zabariah Mohd Yusof and Hasnah Mohammed Hashim.

The ongoing SRC International trial is being heard by Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali. The prosecution is still calling witnesses.

The 1MDB trial, meanwhile, will be heard by Collin Lawrence Sequerah, who had earlier ruled that proceedings must commence on Aug 19.

According to Rahman, the Court of Appeal panel cannot interfere in the discretion used by the High Court, and found that it did not make a mistake.

Earlier, Attorney-General Tommy Thomas submitted that it was impossible for the ongoing SRC International matter to conclude by Aug 15.

Najib's lead defence counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah also submitted that the appeal was valid, so as to ensure that his client is subjected to fair trials and will have adequate access to counsel.

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