A source from the Chinese daily told The Malaysian Insider that the suspension came as an “internal reaction” to the incident, which resulted in the newspaper being issued a show cause letter by the Home Ministry.

No action was taken against them after they decided to publicly apologise for the report.

“He was given a two-week suspension. It is an internal reaction to the report on the IGP’s resignation,” the source said.

The newspaper published a four-paragraph open apology on its front page today, expressing regret over what had transpired.

“The inaccurate report had caused complications to the prime minister, the home ministry and its minister, the IGP and his deputy. We did not expect it to happen and we deeply regret it,” read the report.

China Press was hauled up by the ministry after reporting that Musa had submitted his resignation letter to the prime minister and the home minister. He subsequently denied the report.

The IGP’s term of office expires in September, and the home ministry has since said he would be replaced once his term is completed.

The opposition, particularly the DAP, was quick to capitalise on the issue.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein was accused of exerting pressure when he allegedly demanded Teoh’s resignation, but Hishammuddin shrugged off the claims, and said his ministry had made it clear that it was happy with just a public apology from the Chinese daily.