Hundreds working in the Petronas Twin Towers failed to turn up for work today on the first anniversary of the Sept 11 terrorist attacks.

Last year, just hours after the devastating attacks on the US World Trade Centre, a bomb threat at the towers in Kuala Lumpur forced some 10,000 workers onto the streets.

A spokesman for the towers told AFP that the number of workers who had collected their security tags before entering the towers was down by at least 300 people early this morning.

"It's very quiet today, because I suppose everyone doesn't want to have to go through another bomb scare, or maybe something more dangerous that could happen," he said.

"Almost half the staff took 'emergency leave' today, and you can really tell the difference in traffic when you are entering the towers," said Fazida who works on the 13th floor of the world's tallest building.

Since last year's scare, security at the buildings had been tightened, with the management installing a metal detector and an X-ray machine to screen workers and visitors to the towers.

"Security has always been tight since the attacks, but today being the first anniversary, we have placed more officers on alert," said Ghozali, a security officer.

"Any visitor entering the tower will be thoroughly screened, and we will be making our rounds more frequently to make sure business continues as usual today," he said.

'Ridiculous' excuse

Those who chose to ignore the anniversary dismissed any real fears of an attack on the buildings.

"There is no difference, it being the anniversary or not, and there shouldn't be any impact," said Stephen Ho, who works at the 66th floor. Ho said it was a "ridiculous" excuse to stay home.

For tourists Brandon and Rose, who were due to return to Ireland later in the day, the opportunity to view the capital city from a 'skybridge' 41 stories up and placed between the two buildings was something they would not give up despite some security fears.

"Of course, initially we were a bit hesitant to go up because of security, but we didn't want to miss this chance," said Brandon.

Zulkafly Othman, a teacher leading a field-trip of 90 12-year-old students from Penang state, said he was confident of security at the building.

"I'm sure it'll be alright, and our lives are not in any danger. I've been told that security is very tight today," he said before heading up the tower. AFP