Sirul must remember that he was a convicted murderer, Ramkarpal said in a statement, adding he expected the sentence to be commuted or the death sentence to be abolished “in the near future”.

“He must serve his sentence and cooperate with the Malaysian police on the question of who ordered him to kill Altantuya Shaariibuu.

“It is ridiculous to suggest that he be allowed to stay in Australia in such circumstances. Why is he being allowed access to the press by the Australian authorities so easily to the point that he is able to hold regular press conferences? Is this how detainees are treated in Australia?”

Ramkarpal said this following Sirul’s statement that he did not want to return to Malaysia even if his death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment.

In an interview with The Guardian, Sirul had said Ramkarpal wanted him to serve a life sentence but that he did not want to return as he feared for his life.

Sirul is in Australian custody after fleeing the death sentence for the murder of Altantuya 12 years ago, He told The Guardian he had been made a scapegoat “in an elaborate political crime” and that he had not pulled the trigger.

Sirul wants a pardon.

Ramkarpal said: “Sirul can be deported to Malaysia if the death penalty is abolished or if his current death sentence is commuted to life imprisonment.

“I am confident that one of the above will happen in the near future and urge the Australian authorities to deport him thereafter to serve his sentence in Malaysia and also to cooperate with Malaysian authorities in investigations as to who ordered Altantuya’s murder.”

The lawyer said justice must be served in Altantuya’s case and that Australia should play its part in ensuring this by deporting Sirul to Malaysia upon his death sentence being commuted or abolished.