The Australian journalists were deported because they breached immigration laws, Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed said.

However, this does not mean they did not pose a security threat when they allegedly breached a security cordon to question Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak in Kuching last Saturday, he said.

Nur Jazlan said the duo entered Sarawak as tourists and did not obtain a work visa.

Sarawak has immigration rights under the Malaysia Agreement.

"Like I said, the immigration issue," he said when met in Parliament today.

The authorities earlier said the Australian Broadcasting Corporation journalists would be charged under the Penal Code for obstructing a public officer from doing his duties, but are now to be deported instead.

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