Aussie nine let off with warning after guilty pleas, apology
MalaysMailOnline
BY RAM ANANDOctober 6, 2016
The nine said they were unaware of local sensitivities and that stripping down to Malaysian swimming trunks would be construed as offensive. ― File picMore
SEPANG, Oct 6 — The Sessions Court today dismissed public nuisance charges against nine Australians who stripped down to swimming trunks emblazoned with the Malaysian despite guilty pleas from all nine men.
Sessions judge Harith Sham Mohamed Yasin invoked Section 173A of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) to not impose any punishment and instead release all nine with a caution.
Defence counsel Tan Sri Shafee Abdullah earlier argued that the court should invoke the provision due to the “trivial” nature of the offence and his clients have shown “remorse” for their actions.
A spokesman for the nine earlier read out an apology in open court, after they had after they pleaded guilty and admitted to an “error in judgement” over their actions during the weekend’s Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix in Sepang.
“We apologise sincerely for our actions, which offended the sentiments of people ot this beautiful country.
“We do not have the slightest of intention of undermining this country and its sensitivities,” the spokesman said.
The nine said they were unaware of local sensitivities and that stripping down to Malaysian swimming trunks would be construed as offensive.
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