Malaysian court lets off ‘Budgie 9’ who partied in swimsuits

Their Australian families flew to Malaysia as the police warned the friends faced potential two-year prison sentences.

Defence lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah said the court accepted his argument that it was a trivial offence and that the nine, mostly dressed in suits in the court, were ignorant of the local culture and remorseful. He said one of them read out an apology to the court, admitting to an “error of judgment.”

Shafee said their actions were not illegal in most countries, including Australia.

“We are sensitive about it, but they didn’t know. They sincerely thought it was a respect and a celebration with Malaysians,” Shafee said.

“The court accepted my mitigation that this was a trivial offence and under extenuating circumstances because they misunderstood the local culture. They have been admonished by the court and released without conviction,” he added.

He said one of the men fainted in court briefly due to dehydration.

The nine, mostly Sydney University graduates in their 20s, left the court without speaking to reporters. The men included Jack Walker, an adviser to Australian Defence Industry Minister Chris Pyne.

His father John Walker said they were very thankful.

“There’s no charge, there’s no fine and the boys apologized. They recognized what they did was unacceptable but they have been completely cleared and are free to travel and resume their lives,” he said.

Ricciardo, the driver whose success inspired the Australians’ beer-fueled revelry, described the incident as “pretty harmless.”

“I respect the laws of Malaysia, but beyond that I don’t think they deserve any further punishment,” Ricciardo told Sydney’s The Daily Telegraph newspaper.

“In Australia, it’s a bit different, but I’m very sure they didn’t intend to offend anyone,” he said.

The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

Malaysian court lets off ‘Budgie 9’ who partied in swimsuits

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