Police confirmed on Tuesday the arrest of six people for the alleged performance of a "sexy dance" at a cafe in the early hours of New Year's Day.

Police arrested six people – four female dancers, the dance group's leader and the cafe owner, said Arman Achdiat, the local police's chief detective. "We're charging them for preparing the dance and performing it in public, which is against morality," he added.

Achdiat did not give any details about the dance but said the dancers, who had performed at a live music cafe in Bandung, south of Jakarta, were in skimpy clothing.

"It could be described as sexy dancing. But more importantly, they were wearing minimal clothing and performing in public, which can stir desires," he said. Under the country's Anti-Pornography Law, the dancers could face up to 15 years in jail if convicted, he added.

The controversial law, passed in October, criminalizes all works and "bodily movements" deemed obscene.

It has prompted protests across Indonesia. While the law is supposed to exempt cultural performances, critics fear it could threaten traditions ranging from temple statues on Hindu Bali Island to penis sheaths on tribesmen in Christian and animist Papua.

The law has been championed by Indonesia's Islamic parties and is backed by the government of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.