Speedo stunt was premeditated: Bishop

A group of Australians who stripped down to their speedos at the Malyasian Grand Prix were acting in a premeditated way, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says.

She confirmed the nine men being held at the Sepang District Police office are receiving legal advice and consular support, but Ms Bishop reminded Australians the government can't bail out people if they get into trouble with the law in another country.

"I don't know that it will be seen as a lapse of judgment. It was clearly premeditated. They were wearing the budgie smugglers and had bought them in Australia," the minister told the Nine Network on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull refused to comment on what should happen to the men, saying it was a matter best left to consular officials.

He's been told their families have travelled to Malaysia.

"When Australians are overseas they should always be careful of and respect the laws of the country in which they are in," Mr Turnbull told reporters in Sydney on Wednesday.