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.
[More to follow]