Malaysian ministers are to investigate a US move to slap sanctions on a company accused of illegal sales of weapons technology.

The US last Friday announced it had imposed sanctions on 24 companies, including from China, Russia and North Korea, for trade with Iran and Syria in weapons technology or items that could be used in making weapons.

"There was one Malaysian company on the list, that's confirmed. It's called Target Airfreight," the spokeswoman for the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Kathryn Taylor, told AFP .

She said no specific information was available on why Target Airfreight had been listed.

Malaysia's Foreign Minister, Syed Hamid Albar, told the Star newspaper that the government would look into the US move but said he was unaware of any Malaysian firm trading in weapons.

"We will have to investigate because one can't simply conclude that any trade, if there is, may necessarily contravene international law," Syed Hamid told the newspaper in an interview.

"But I am not aware of any company selling weapons to these countries. This is because Malaysia does not trade in weapons," he said.

Notice posted online

A notice posted online from the US State Department said the companies "have engaged in activities that warrant the imposition of measures pursuant to section three of the Iran and Syria Nonproliferation Act".

US law forbids trade in weapons or materials with Iran and Syria that could lead to the "development of weapons of mass destruction or cruise or ballistic missile systems", says the notice, which is dated Dec 28.

The sanctions, to last until December 2008, prevent US government agencies from providing assistance to the companies or entering into any trade or contracts with them.