The Malaysian High Commissioner in Canberra has assured Australians that asylum-seekers transferred to Malaysia would be treated humanely and "with respect and dignity".

Salman Ahmad told Sky TV Sunday that asylum seekers sent to Malaysia would "mingle" in the community while their claims were processed.

"There is not going to be any centre so they are not going to be in detention," he said.

He indicated the proposed asylum-seeker swap with Australia was likely to be a one-off deal but said details were to be finalised.

Salman said that while Kuala Lumpur would welcome an Australian commitment to take more of Malaysia's roughly 94,000 refugees, the deal to swap 800 Australia-bound people for 4,000 refugees from Malaysia, was probably a one-off.

"(And) of course, if there is more than 4,000 being taken by Australia, it's much better if it is acceptable by Australia."

[More to follow]