An ABC reporter who was detained in Malaysia over an alleged run-in with the prime minister says local police thought the saga was a joke but were following orders.
Four Corners reporter Linton Besser and cameraman Louie Eroglu were detained on Saturday after they attempted to question Prime Minister Najib Razak over a billion-dollar corruption scandal.
They were later released but told not to leave the country because they were likely to face charges of obstructing a public servant.
On Tuesday, they were told they wouldn't be charged.
Besser announced on Twitter the two were about to depart from Kuching, Sarawak, in the afternoon.
"Totally bizarre few days in such a charming riverside town," he said.
"Thanks to all."
Speaking from Singapore, he told ABC News 24 the pair merely attended a public media call after the prime minister's office did not respond to interview requests.
"He didn't like it very much, or at least the police intelligence services didn't like it very much," Besser said.
Both men strenuously denied claims they crossed a security line, failed to follow police orders and behaved aggressively.
"What was alarming to us when they were pressing ahead with an indictment ... was the video evidence is incontrovertible," Besser said.
Local police were "pleasant and professional", he added.
"Our impression very much was they thought it was a joke, but they were following orders."
ABC director of news Gaven Morris told staff in an email their departure followed a "rollercoaster night", with police backtracking on charges only a few hours after telling the men they would need to go to court.
"Linton and Louie are continuing their work, investigating the story they are working on for Four Corners," Mr Morris said.
"The ABC stands behind our journalists. They did nothing wrong in Kuching."
The incident demonstrated the importance of defending media freedom, including the right to question authority, Mr Morris added.
Four Corners executive producer Sally Neighbour said the two were not deported.
"As far as we're concerned they left because they were told they were free to go," she said.
"They were released because there was no case against them."
The two were expected to land back in Australia later in the week.
The Australian government had expressed its deep concern over the way the men were treated to the highest levels of the Malaysian government.
The Malaysian prime minister has denied any wrongdoing over the corruption scandal but he has faced a wave of calls for his removal.
