Budgie Nine

The men, branded the "Budgie Nine", were detained on Sunday after posing in swimwear decorated with the Malaysian flag.

Budgie smugglers is an Australian term for the swimwear they were wearing.

On Thursday, they were charged with public nuisance and fined but avoided jail.

Malaysia has strict rules on any display of public indecency and foreign offenders are typically issued a fine before being deported.

One member of the group, Nick Kelly, warned other Australians to be aware of "cultural differences" when travelling.

The group, branded the "Budgie Nine", were charged with public nuisance, which carries a fine but no jail time.

The men were detained after posing in swimwear decorated with the Malaysian flag to celebrate Australian Daniel Ricciardo's win in Sunday's race.

In a letter read out in court, they apologised and expressed their "deepest regret".

They said the incident was "purely an error of judgement" on their behalf.

Among the men was Jack Walker, an aide to Australian Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne.

The men stripped down to swimwear emblazoned with the Malaysian flag after the Australian driver's win.

The group - branded the "Budgie Nine" - have been held in a facility Kuala Lumpur since Sunday while being investigated for public indecency.

The men are expected to be charged when they appear in court on Thursday.

Malaysia has strict rules on any display of public indecency and foreign offenders are typically issued a fine before being deported.