Malaysia 'lenient' on Budgie Nine

The Australians stripped down to their swimwear featuring the Malaysian flag at the F1 race....
The Australians stripped down to their swimwear featuring the Malaysian flag at the F1 race. Photo: Twitter
Jack Walker, an adviser to Australia's Defence Industry Minister, remains in Malaysia. Photo:...
Jack Walker, an adviser to Australia's Defence Industry Minister, remains in Malaysia. Photo: Reuters
The men pleaded guilty to being a public nuisance, but were cautioned and released without...
The men pleaded guilty to being a public nuisance, but were cautioned and released without conviction. Photo: Reuters

Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says the Malaysian authorities have been "very lenient" in releasing the so-called "Budgie Nine" with a warning.

Malcolm Turnbull
Malcolm Turnbull

Eight of the nine young men are on their way back to Australia after spending four days locked up in a Malaysian prison for stripping down to their swimwear, also known as budgie smugglers, at the Grand Prix.

The swimear featured the Malaysian flag on the back.

Mr Turnbull said it was appropriate for the men to apologise in court on Thursday, describing them as "very repentant".

"They are on their way home and that's good," he told FIVEaa radio on Friday.

"I think the Malaysia authorities were very lenient."

Jack Walker, an adviser to Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne, remains in Malaysia.

The Prime Minister will be talking to Mr Pyne when he returns from overseas about Mr Walker's future as a ministerial adviser.

"He needs to have a very hard look at himself and I'm sure will be considering his future carefully."

The nine men pleaded guilty to being a public nuisance, but were cautioned and released without conviction.