Budgie Nine

The Budgie Nine is the name given by the Australian media to a group of nine Australians who became famous around the world for celebrating the win of Australian Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo at the 2016 Malaysian Grand Prix. The group consists of Branden Stobbs, Adam Pasfield, Thomas Whitworth, James Paver, Timothy Yates, Thomas Laslett, Edward Leaney, Jack Walker and Nicholas Kelly.
Incident
On 2 October 2016 a group of nine young Australians stripped to their underwear after the finish of the 2016 Malaysian Grand Prix to celebrate the win of Australian Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo. The group were arrested for intentional insult and public indecency with intent to provoke a breach of the peace and public indecency at the event in Sepang, on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. After four nights in custody at a nearby police station they were discharged and cautioned by Sepang Magistrates Court, no criminal conviction was recorded.
Magistrate Harith Sham bin Mohamed Yasin said regardless of their intention the men had disrespected Malaysia by unveiling the country’s national flag on their swimwear. He said he hoped their arrest and detention would remind them and others about respecting the culture and customs of Malaysia. The group of nine had faced a charge of public nuisance carrying a $127 fine but the Magistrate discharged them with a caution and no conviction recorded against their names. Other charges, initially muted against them carrying more severe penalties were not proceeded with after several hours of discussions with the legal team before court started.
Magistrate Harith Sham bin Mohamed Yasin told the men they needed to understand that the symbol of the Malaysian flag represents the country’s sovereignty. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull also weighed into the controversy by stating that the Malaysian authorities have been "very lenient" in releasing the so-called "Budgie Nine" with a warning.
Charity work
On 13 December 2013, two members of the Budgie Nine, Thomas Whitforth and Nick Kelly took part in Strut the Streets raising money for Indigenous Australians. The event is organised by AIME, which runs a program around Australia which aims to see every Indigenous student finish school at the same rate as non-Indigenous students.

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