A model has apologised for posing semi-nude and draped in the national flag in a controversial photo published in a men's magazine, a report said today.

"I apologise to the prime minister and to all Malaysians," the model, identified only as Aida, told the Malay-language Utusan Malaysia .

"I never expected that my posing like that would offend Malaysians. I was truly naive and I beg for forgiveness," she said tearfully.

Aida, 23, denied she was nude under the flag and said she was wearing a tube top and shorts. The petite model, who previously worked as a flight attendant, said she and her family had been under a great deal of stress amid the furore.

Deputy Internal Security Minister Noh Omar has slammed the publishers of " Sensasi Lelaki " (Men's Sensation) for publishing the photo in its August issue in conjunction with Malaysia's Independence Day on Aug 31.

Noh said the photo was "insensitive" and a humiliation to the flag, a symbol of national pride and honour, and said that his ministry would probe the matter.

It's just porn

The picture of the part-time model was splashed on the front cover and centre-spread pages of the RM5 magazine.

The Indian Muslim Congress of Malaysia lodged a police complaint about the photo and urged authorities to revoke the magazine's publishing permit.

"It is so humiliating. The picture does not reflect patriotism at all, it is just porn," Amir Amsaa Alla Pitchay, acting president of the Indian Muslim Congress, was quoted saying on Sunday.

"There are so many ways to instil the spirit of independence, not by selling your body and the country's pride."