A notice of motion was filed in the High Court in Kuala Lumpur today seeking the postponement of the 1MDB criminal trial against former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.

The notice, filed by deputy public prosecutor Budiman Lutfi Mohamed, is for the 1MDB trial – also known as the 'Tanore trial', in reference to the Tanore Finance Corp – to be put off until the completion of the SRC International Sdn Bhd hearing.

This comes two days after High Court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah rejected the prosecution's verbal application to have the 1MDB criminal trial postponed. 

"After hearing both parties and taking into account that this is the third application by the prosecution, this application is rejected.

"The hearing (into the 1MDB case) will commence this Aug 19, at 9am," the judge said on Monday.

Read more: 'Stolen' 1MDB funds: The DOJ lawsuit revisited

According to the supporting affidavit filed today, the prosecution's application is justified on the grounds of it being impossible for the SRC International hearing to be completed by the initially scheduled end date of Aug 15.

Budiman said that 44 witnesses have been called up since the SRC International trial commenced on April 3, with a further 20 or so witnesses to follow.

"It is for the interest of all parties, including witnesses who are subpoenaed to attend the SRC International trial, and for the trial to continue without any postponement until its disposal.

"This is for the public interest, where cases that involve the former prime minister be completed as soon as possible.

"It is against the public interest and prejudicial to the accused's defence to have several hearings started partially because this would result in unnecessary postponements in all the trials," the notice reads.

The notice also states that the Attorney-General's Chambers is ready to bring forward any other case not involving Najib before Justice Sequerah to fill the dates vacated for the 1MDB trial.