Indonesians nabbed for SMS bomb hoax

Indonesians nabbed for SMS bomb hoax

MALAYSIA: Malaysian police have arrested two Indonesian men following a series of bomb warning hoaxes spread by mobile phone text message on the northern resort island of Penang, a news report said on Thursday.

The suspects were arrested on Wednesday at the island's airport as they prepared to leave for the city of Medan on Indonesia's Sumatra island, state police chief Christopher Wan was quoted as saying by the Star newspaper.

Police have been investigating six text messages warning of bombs planted at various locations on the popular tourist island, including the airport, a shopping mall, a bus terminal and an open air food center, the report said.

The warnings, which turned out to be hoaxes, began on Tuesday night, sending shoppers into a panic. Police and bomb squads closed down some areas and cleared buildings.

Wan and the investigating officer for the case were not immediately available to comment on the arrests. The report did not say how the suspects were connected to the case, or whether any charge has been brought against them. -- AP