A rock singer has apologised for stripping off his shirt to reveal a bare chest with a bright red Superman logo painted on it during a concert, reports said today.

Faizal Tahir's stunt was branded "shocking" by television station 8TV, which aired the concert and said his actions were unacceptable in this conservative Muslim-majority nation.

"I am truly sorry for the gimmick. I did not realise it would be an insult to many," Faizal told the New Straits Times newspaper after Sunday's performance.

Tahir, a former reality TV star, said he had performed the Superman stunt before and no one had complained.

"I now realise that taking off one's shirt is a big no," he said.

Going topless, even for males, is a violation of local broadcasting standards, station officials told AFP.

8TV's chief executive officer Ahmad Izham Omar said he was shocked by Faizal's actions and that the station would ban him from appearing on the channel until it was certain he would adhere to its guidelines.

"8TV demands all artists appearing on its programs to present a positive and healthy image contributing to the highest quality in entertainment," Ahmad said in a statement.