A 51-year-old Australian woman could face the death penalty in Malaysia after she was detained for drug trafficking.

The Australian woman has been remanded in custody in the Malaysian capital after she was allegedly found to be carrying 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, or ice, while in transit at Kuala Lumpur airport.

She was travelling from Shanghai to Australia.

The woman will appear in court on Sunday.

• Sydney woman released from Bali jail
• Travel nightmares: don’t copy these Aussies overseas
• Bali Nine clemency bid rejected