Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail says the deportation of Sirul Azhar Umar from Australia, who was convicted and sentenced to death here for murdering Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu, will be discussed with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"If Malaysia's mandatory death sentence (for murder) can be changed, he (Sirul) can return," she said when asked to comment on Sirul Azhar's political asylum bid that was rejected by an Australian court on Monday.

Wan Azizah said this after officiating the third anniversary celebration of the China Entrepreneurs Association in Malaysia (PUCM) yesterday. The event was held in conjunction with the 45th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations.

Also present were PUCM president Keith Li and China's Ambassador to Malaysia, Bai Tian.

A spokesperson from the Australian Attorney-General's Department said that Sirul Azhar can be extradited back to Malaysia on the condition that an undertaking is provided that the death penalty will not be carried out.

Australia's news portals reported that Sirul Azhar's political asylum bid was rejected by an Australian court on Monday.

Sirul Azhar was sentenced to death in 2015 for the murder of Mongolian model Altantuya.

On Malaysia-China relations, Wan Azizah said the ties remained strong despite a change in the Malaysian government.

Bilateral trade between Malaysia and China hit an all-new high in 2018, grew 13% to US$108.6 billion (RM443 billion) from US$96 billion (RM392 billion) in 2017, while the number of Chinese visitors to Malaysia increased almost 30% to 2.94 million last year.

- Bernama