The police today said they had arrested six women and a man for allegedly sending e-mails to the Australian High Commission and other Internet addresses warning of bomb attacks on major shopping centres here.

Ahmad Bahrin Idrus, Kuala Lumpur deputy police chief, said the suspects had been picked up under the Internal Security Act, which allows for indefinite detention without trial, but had been released on police bail.

"We will continue to arrest those who spread the e-mail rumour. We are investigating the motive of their action and the source of the e-mail," he told reporters.

The e-mails claimed that terrorists were planning to bomb major shopping complexes patronised by both locals and foreigners.

Situation under control

Ahmad Baharin said the suspects would be charged with spreading false information which could create public panic.

If found guilty they faced maximum penalties of a year in jail and a RM1,000 fine.

"Such information could disrupt public order. It creates unnecessary alarm," he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Wednesday after the first two arrests were announced that the security situation in the country was under control.

"Everything is calm and in order," he told the New Straits Times .

"There are already assumptions and wrong perceptions that there was turmoil in the country. We have to take the necessary action for the sake of peace and order in the country and for the people," he said.

Malaysia has detained more than 70 alleged Islamic militants, many of them linked to the Jemaah Islamiah terrorist network, since the middle of last year. - AFP