KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - A Singaporean cook who allegedly cooked up a bomb hoax when he called the 999 emergency centre here has been slapped with a criminal intimidation charge.

Nordin Ibrahim, 40, who is accused of making the call to one Zalehah Wahid, a 999 call centre staff, allegedly claimed that a bomb had been planted in a hotel.

He was said to have committed the offence at the Dangi Wangi district at 2.47am on July 25.

If convicted, he can be jailed up to two years under Section 507 of the Penal Code.

Prosecuting officer Chief Insp D.R. Ghanthi Nathan asked the court to set bail at RM10,000 (S$4,094) with one Malaysian surety on grounds that it involved public interest.

Magistrate Siti Shakirah Mohtarudin set bail at RM7,000 and impounded the cook's passport.

The case has been set for mention on Dec 1.