The killer of heart surgeon Victor Chang has been deported to Malaysia after his release from a Sydney jail on parole.

Chiew Seng Liew was released from the Long Bay prison within hours of the New South Wales Government ruling out further action against his parole.

Liew, 69, who has Parkinson's disease, was immediately whisked off to Sydney airport and kept in custody by immigration officials.

He later boarded a flight to Kuala Lumpur.

When Liew was granted parole last month, the State Government challenged the decision but was overruled by the Supreme Court.

The court upheld the ruling of the Parole Authority, which had been told that if Liew was not released urgently, it was likely the state would miss its opportunity to deport him before he became medically unfit to travel.

Liew has spent the past 21 years behind bars after being sentenced to 26 years in jail for shooting Dr Chang in his car during a botched extortion attempt in 1991.

His accomplice, Phillip Choon Tee Lim, was deported to Malaysia two years ago after serving 18 years in prison.

Following his release, Malaysia's home minister said Lim was a free man and would enjoy the privileges of any other Malaysian citizen.

NSW Attorney-General Greg Smith has praised the "strength of character and dignity of the Chang family during this very difficult time".