(AFP) The Sun today apologised to Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and his deputy Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for reporting that they were the target of an alleged murder plot.

The newspaper said the allegations in Tuesday's report had no foundation and "ought not to have been published."

"We also express our profound apology for the grave distress, hurt and embarrassment caused to them by the publication of the said article," it said in a front page item.

It expressed an "unreserved and unqualified apology" to Mahathir and heir apparent Abdullah.

The newspaper added executive director and editor-in-chief Hng Hung Yong had resigned of his own accord from Thursday, and chief news editor Robert Ho, journalist R Manirajan and photographer Anita Mohamad Nasir have been suspended pending further investigations.

Yesterday Mahathir said the report of a plot against him could give a negative impression of the country and cause economic damage.

The 76-year-old premier said the report gave foreigners the impression that Malaysia was infested with terrorists who could target anyone.