Police in Malaysia have said they hope to charge a group of Australians who were arrested for allegedly stripping at a Formula One race.

Key points: Nine men were arrested at Malaysian GP in Kuala Lumpur for stripping down to their swimwear

Nine men were arrested at Malaysian GP in Kuala Lumpur for stripping down to their swimwear Police hope to charge them with "intentional insult", "intent to provoke a breach of the peace"

Police hope to charge them with "intentional insult", "intent to provoke a breach of the peace" Charge penalty ranges from fine to two years' jail time

A police spokesman in Kuala Lumpur told the ABC they hoped to charge the group under section 504 of the penal code, which carries a maximum two-year jail term for intentional insult with the intent to provoke a breach of the peace.

The minimum penalty for that charge is a fine.

The nine Australian men were pictured during post-race celebrations on the weekend wearing only swimwear that featured the Malaysian flag.

Pictures of them celebrating in a circle with their pants around their ankles were posted on social media. They were holding up an Australian flag, while wearing the Malaysian-themed underwear with the words "budgy smuggler" across the back.

Video footage also shows the men drinking from shoes — an act known as a "shoey", which is a celebration commonly seen in motorsports.

Malaysia's Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed said the men were acting with a political motive.

"We open our doors to tourists, we try to treat them as well as we can, sometimes even better than our own people, but when they come here with the intention to commit indecent acts to embarrass us I think that's not how visitors should respond to our good treatment," he said.

The men, including a staffer from Minister Christopher Pyne's office, are receiving consular assistance.

Jack Walker, an advisor to Mr Pyne in his capacity as Defence Industry Minister, holds a high-level security clearance allowing him to access top secret material.

He previously worked for a company founded by New South Wales Liberal powerbroker Michael Photios.

The former army reservist has also worked for Macquarie Bank, according to his online profile.

A spokeswoman from Mr Pyne's office told the ABC: "This matter is 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".

The Deputy Public Prosecutor will make the final decision on whether to lay charges.

Police say if the men are charged, they could appear in court next Monday.