KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 6 (Xinhua) -- A Malaysian judge has ordered the release of nine Australians who had stripped to their "swimming trunks" emblazoned with Malaysian national flag at the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday, after they pleaded guilty and apologized for the behavior.
Harith Sham Mohamed Yasin, judge of the Sepang Sessions Court, invoked Section 173A of the Criminal Procedure Code to not impose any punishment and instead release all nine with a caution, the Star reported on Thursday.
The judge said what the nine did was "totally inappropriate" and has provoked the sensitivity of Malaysians. "The elements in the flag are a symbol of sovereignty and official religion of the country," he said, adding "you must consider that Malaysia has a different culture to yours."
Pictures and videos showing the Australian men stripping down to their underwear and drinking with their shoes at the race track, which was in celebration of Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo's win at the race, caused uproar in the country, with some calling it a "stupidity" and others calling for their arrest.
They were arrested on the same day at circuit and held in remand since then for possible charges.
Defense attorney Shafee Abdullah argued at the court that because their offense was only "trivial" in nature and they have shown "remorse" for their actions, the judge should dismiss the charges.
"On Australia Day, it is common to see individuals in bikinis or swimming trunks with the Australian flag walking down the streets," he said.
In an open apology read by a spokesman, the nine men admitted their behavior was an "error in judgment."
"We apologize sincerely for our actions, which offended the sentiments of people of this beautiful country. We do not have the slightest of intention of undermining this country and its sensitivities," the spokesman said.
