ABC reporter and cameraman leave Malaysia after run-in with prime minister Najib Razak

Two ABC news staff have left Malaysia after the country said it would not charge them over an alleged run-in with the prime minister.

The ABC said Four Corners reporter Linton Besser and cameraman Louie Eroglu left Malaysia on Tuesday afternoon. They'd earlier been told they were likely to be charged with obstructing a public servant.

Both men strenuously denied claims they crossed a security line, failed to follow police orders and aggressively tried to approach Prime Minister Najib Razak on Saturday, over a billion-dollar corruption scandal.

"I'm very glad and relieved to be able to confirm that our colleagues Linton Besser and Louie Eroglu are now on a plane out of Malaysia," the ABC's news director Gaven Morris told staff in an email.

"It was a rollercoaster night, with the Malaysian police first informing Louie and Linton they would be charged this morning, then a few hours later reversing that and telling them they would be allowed to leave the country."

Mr Morris said the pair would be home later this week, and would continue to investigate the corruption story they'd been pursuing.

"The ABC stands behind our journalists. They did nothing wrong in Kuching," he said.

"This incident has demonstrated again why it is vital to defend media freedom, including the right to question authority."

Australia had expressed its deep concern over the way the men were treated to the highest levels of the Malaysian government.

Malaysia's prime minister has denied any wrongdoing but he has faced a wave of calls for his removal.