Sirul Azhar Umar, who was sentenced to death for the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu, has now been placed on the Interpol red notice watch list.

A red notice is to seek the location and arrest of the wanted persons with a view to extradition or similar lawful action.

The name of the 43-year-old former police commando was believed to have been listed on the website today.

Sirul is currently said to be in Australia, where the law dictates that a person facing the death penalty in his or her home country cannot be extradited.

The Interpol website listed Sirul as wanted by the judicial authorities of Malaysia for prosecution or to serve a sentence.

Chief Justice Arifin Zakaria, who chaired the five-member Federal Court bench, had on Jan 13, agreed with the prosecution's request for a warrant of arrest to be issued for Sirul who was absent when the verdict was delivered.

The first accused Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri was present to listen to the apex court's decision. He too was convicted and sentenced to death.

Azilah was immediately taken into custody by Prisons Department officers following the verdict.

Sirul had been free since Aug 23, 2013 after the Court of Appeal overturned his and Azilah's murder conviction by the Shah Alam High Court.

Meanwhile, PAS information chief Mahfuz Omar wanted the two convicted persons to be given the space to explain the motive for killing the Mongolian national.

"PAS hopes the accused are given the space to explain in public. This would end the mystery and those who are being made victims would get justice.

"The mastermind behind this heinous crime should also be brought to justice," he added in a statement.