Two police officers who allegedly forced a popular local singer to sing while handcuffed in custody have been suspended.

The officers oblige Zamani Ibrahim, vocalist of a leading Malaysian band in the 1990s, to sing one of his famous songs.

A video recording of the incident was uploaded on social media, triggering a public outcry of police mistreatment and abuse.

"The inspector-general of police has given the department the green light to remove the officers who were involved in the matter from active duty, pending an investigation," senior deputy commander Zubaidah Ismail was quoted by The Star newspaper as saying.

"We are not just questioning them but their supervisors as well, as to how a lapse in police procedure could occur," she said.

Zamani, 43, was arrested with a 32-year-old female companion Wednesday in Kuala Lumpur for alleged possession of illegal drugs.

- dpa