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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/04/nine-australians-arrested-after-stripping-to-malaysia-flag-underwear-at-grand-prix
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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Nine Australians arrested after stripping to Malaysia flag underwear at grand prix | Nine Australians arrested after stripping to Malaysia flag underwear at grand prix |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A staffer for government minister Christopher Pyne is reportedly among nine Australian men arrested in Malaysia after stripping during Sunday’s Formula 1 Grand Prix race to reveal underwear bearing a Malaysia-flag print. | A staffer for government minister Christopher Pyne is reportedly among nine Australian men arrested in Malaysia after stripping during Sunday’s Formula 1 Grand Prix race to reveal underwear bearing a Malaysia-flag print. |
| Jack Walker, Pyne’s adviser on defence innovation, was one of the men pictured removing their clothes at the end of the grand prix, the Adelaide Advertiser reported. | Jack Walker, Pyne’s adviser on defence innovation, was one of the men pictured removing their clothes at the end of the grand prix, the Adelaide Advertiser reported. |
| The spectators were arrested around the time the race ended Sunday afternoon and were being investigated for “intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace” and public indecency, state news agency Bernama quoted police saying on Monday. | The spectators were arrested around the time the race ended Sunday afternoon and were being investigated for “intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace” and public indecency, state news agency Bernama quoted police saying on Monday. |
| The nine men, aged between 25 and 29, would be held in remand for four days, Abdul Aziz Ali, the police chief of the town of Sepang, told Bernama. | The nine men, aged between 25 and 29, would be held in remand for four days, Abdul Aziz Ali, the police chief of the town of Sepang, told Bernama. |
| Abdul Aziz said the Australians were tourists who had come to watch the Malaysian Grand Prix, held at the Sepang circuit outside the capital, Kuala Lumpur. | Abdul Aziz said the Australians were tourists who had come to watch the Malaysian Grand Prix, held at the Sepang circuit outside the capital, Kuala Lumpur. |
| Shame on those Aussies by doing this. So inappropriate #nochill pic.twitter.com/jm7xfCFOCP | Shame on those Aussies by doing this. So inappropriate #nochill pic.twitter.com/jm7xfCFOCP |
| Photos of the men flaunting the country’s national colours went viral in Malaysia after the race, provoking angry comments from some social media users who accused them of insulting the country. | Photos of the men flaunting the country’s national colours went viral in Malaysia after the race, provoking angry comments from some social media users who accused them of insulting the country. |
| Displays of public indecency are not tolerated by authorities in Muslim-majority Malaysia, with foreign offenders typically given a fine before being deported. | Displays of public indecency are not tolerated by authorities in Muslim-majority Malaysia, with foreign offenders typically given a fine before being deported. |
| A spokeswoman for Pyne said the matter was being “handled appropriately by the Australian high commissioner”. | A spokeswoman for Pyne said the matter was being “handled appropriately by the Australian high commissioner”. |
| “Until we have a clearer picture of the process at hand, it would be unwise to comment further,” she said. | “Until we have a clearer picture of the process at hand, it would be unwise to comment further,” she said. |
| Walker’s public profile on LinkedIn says he has worked in Pyne’s office for four months and had served four years in the army reserve. He describes himself as “confident, hard working and always open to new experiences”. | |
| The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it was providing consular assistance to a group of Australians arrested in Malaysia. | The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it was providing consular assistance to a group of Australians arrested in Malaysia. |
| Speaking to 2GB radio on Tuesday, treasurer Scott Morrison said he could not confirm Walker was among those arrested, but said he was sure consular officials would assist the group. | |
| He said the incident was “a timely reminder for young people when they travel overseas, know what the laws and rules are and respect them”. | |
| “They’re their laws, their rules, they’re on their grounds so you’ve got to comply.” |