A Cambodian former police chief is expected to depart for Finland after beating attempts to deport him to his home country where he has been convicted of murder, authorities and lawyers said.

The High Court on Friday ordered Heng Pov, who arrived in Kuala Lumpur from Singapore in September, be returned to his last port of embarkation, but discussions were ongoing to confirm he will travel via the neighbouring city-state.

"He will be sent to the last place he came from. But I am still waiting for clear instructions based on the judge's order," said the immigration department's director of enforcement Ishak Mohamad.

"However if Singapore rejects him, we will send him directly to Finland."

Heng Pov, 49, has been in detention in Malaysia for immigration offences since early October, and has been fighting deportation to Cambodia, where he says he could be tortured and executed.

Heng Pov was convicted and sentenced in absentia on Sept 18 for conspiracy in connection with the killing of municipal court judge Sok Sethamony, who was shot in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh.

Air tickets given

Finland has offered him a visa, citing human rights concerns, and drawn fire from Cambodia over its decision.

Heng Pov's lawyer A Sivananthan said that immigration authorities had been given air tickets that would send the fugitive to Singapore late yesterday and then on to Finland.

"It is up to the immigration now to decide and they are obliged to send him there. If they don't they are liable," he told AFP .

"The judge said the applicant has to be removed from the federation. But the decision lies with the (director-general) of immigration as to what is the last place of embarkation," said his other lawyer Abdul Shukor Ahmad.