The 'holding hands' court case involving a couple who were allegedly behaving in an indecent manner at the KLCC public park in 2003 has been postponed to Sept 25.

The hearing was scheduled to enter it third day today, but was put off because the prosecutor had a family emergency.

Staff at the City Hall Magistrate's Court informed journalists of the situation this morning.

When contacted, defence lawyer S Selvam said that he was informed of the postponement yesterday evening by the court.

"I got a call informing me that the DPP's sister-in-law was terminally ill and that he could not attend the hearing. The court (staff) said they had faxed me about the postponement but I did not receive it."

Selvam added that he intends to appeal for an earlier date as soon as possible, saying "this is a matter of public interest and it should not be held over any longer".

The trial will continue with the cross-examination of the first witness, former City Hall enforcement officer Mohd Noor Abdul Manaf, by the defence counsel.

He had testified on July 19 that he had issued a summons to the couple at the park on Aug 2, 2003, based on "Eastern values" and principles of the Rukunegara.

The couple - Ooi Kean Tong, 25, and Siow Ai Wei, 23 - are charged with indecent behaviour but insist that they were merely reading letters and holding hands when the City Hall officers caught them.

They pleaded not guilty when charged in 2004, and maintained the plea to an amended charge when the trial began on July 18 this year.

The case drew international media coverage and sparked a wide public outcry when it first broke. The couple have since split up.