One of the nine men arrested for allegedly stripping down to their underwear after the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix is apparently an Australian government political adviser.
News agency AP reports that government officials have confirmed that Jack Walker, adviser to Australian Defence Industry Minister Chris Pyne, is one of the nine men detained by the local police after they stripped down down to their Budgy Smuggler-brand briefs decorated with the Jalur Gemilang at the Sepang race track.
Pyne’s office, in a statement, said that the Australian High Commissioner in Malaysia is currently “handling the matter appropriately”, according to the news agency.
“Until we have a clearer picture of the process at hand, it would be unwise to comment further,” a government statement read.
Meanwhile, Sepang International Circuit chief executive Datuk Razlan Razali told The New Straits Times that the stunt was “stupid” and the men deserved to be locked up.
“This shows a huge lack of respect to us as Malaysians; this is stupid behavior from foreigners who have no sense of cultural sensitivity and respect.
“It embarrasses their own country as well — it gives Australians a bad name,” he was quoted by the daily as saying.
Last Sunday, the men, aged between 25 and 29, were remanded for four days after they allegedly stripped down to their undies and drank beer from their shoes after fellow Australian Daniel Ricciardo won the race on Sunday.
They will be probed for provocation and public indecency, Sepang OCPD Asst Comm Abdul Aziz Ali told local media
