The government suspended the weekend edition of a the Malay Mail after it published sex-related stories and pictures that provoked a furore.

The secretary-general of Internal Security Ministry, Abdul Aziz Mohamad Yusof, said the ministry suspended the Weekend Mail after readers deemed the reports on sex excessive, the New Straits Times reported.

He said the articles and photographs were contrary to "eastern values" practised by Malaysians and should not have been published, the newspaper said.

The move followed the suspension of the tabloid's editor earlier in the week over the issue.

Let's talk about sex

The Weekend Mail newspaper on Saturday ran stories about what Malaysians think about sex with the bold words "Let's talk about Sex" on the front page.

The newspaper said it interviewed 100 people between the ages of 18 and 35, and found that sex was no longer a taboo, and that people were comfortable talking about it.

But contrary to the tabloid's headlines, the article provoked a storm of outrage, with Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak blasting the newspaper for going overboard and being exploitative.

The topic of sex in this predominantly Muslim country is still considered a taboo for public discussion, and overt public displays of sexuality are frowned upon.

In August, outraged authorities fined a music promoter for organising a concert by US pop group Pussycat Dolls - known for their skimpy costumes and provocative dance routines - that was considered too raunchy.