KOTA KINABALU: Police arrested an engineer who replied 'bomb' when asked about his luggage at Kota Kinabalu International Airport on Wednesday morning.

Police chief Asst Comm M. Chandra said the 40-year-old Sarawakian, who is a permanent resident of Brunei, was checking in his luggage when an airline employee asked if he had anything dangerous with him.

He replied using the word 'bomb' and then apologised when told he was not supposed to say the word at the airport.

However, an airline staff, who heard their conversation, had advised that the man's name be removed from the passengers list and to offload his luggage as a precaution.

The man was supposed to board the Royal Brunei Airlines flight when the incident occurred at about 7.45am.

ACP Chandra said the airline staff lodged a report at about 8am and the suspect's luggage searched.

"They found nothing dangerous but the man is being detained to facilitate investigations under section 506 of the penal code for criminal intimidation," he said.

It is however not yet decided whether the man will be charged for the offence.

The man was here for a visit and to bring his sister back to Brunei.