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KUALA LUMPUR - A MONGOLIAN university teacher demanded on Thursday a speedy trial of three Malaysians accused in his daughter's death.

One defendant is her former lover, with close links to Malaysia's ruling elite.

The trial over last year's killing of Altantuya Shaariibuu, 28, is set to start on Monday, two weeks after it was abruptly postponed because the attorney-general replaced the prosecutor at the last minute.

The trial is expected to reveal details of one of Malaysia's most talked-about scandals.

The star defendant, political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda, is close to the ruling party and to Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Abdul Razak is accused of abetting the slaying of Shaariibuu last year, while two policemen are accused of carrying out the killing.

In an emotional news conference, the victim's father Setev Shaariibuu expressed hope there would be no more postponements.

'This is not a game,' an angry Mr Shaariibuu told reporters. 'I hope the trial will start on Monday. If it is postponed again, it will prove that this is a political issue.'

He added: 'I hope the trial decision will be out as soon as possible. The people of Malaysia and Mongolia are waiting for the judgment.'

He also said he suspects his daughter was raped before being killed, but provided no explanation or evidence.

Ms Shaariibuu was believed to have been shot and her body blown up with military-grade explosives. Only fragments of her body were found in a jungle clearing outside Malaysia's main city, Kuala Lumpur.

Abdul Razak, 47, has acknowledged having an eight-month extramarital affair with Ms Shaariibuu, a freelance translator and interpreter, since late 2004. -- AP

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