A London-based rights group has voiced its concern over the suspension of several journalists from The Sun daily and criticised the government for 'interfering'.

In an letter to deputy premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday, the group known as Article 19 said such interference exerts a "chilling effect".

"Interference of this sort is illegitimate regardless of the credibility and accuracy of the story, a matter on which we take no position," said the group's excutive director Andrew Puddephatt.

Puddephatt also called on the deputy premier to ensure that a similar situation does not arise in future.

The Sun was eclipsed by controversy following its Christmas day front-page report which alleged that there was a plot to kill Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Abdullah.

The report was circulated worldwide and this irked the premier who then lambasted The Sun for publishing the story.

The next day, the daily ran a front-page apology, saying that its story was baseless and suspended several, including senior editorial staff.

Following this, those linked to the report were also summoned to the home affairs ministry and the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters for questioning.

No pressure

On Wednesday, Mahathir denied that the government was exerting pressure on The Sun.

Since the controversy erupted, the daily's journalists have taken to the streets to protest against the suspension of their colleagues.

However,the management is yet to retract its decision as it claims the matter is still being investigated.

The National Union of Journalists has also expressed regret over the management's refusal to reinstate the suspended journalists.

In a press statement yesterday, NUJ secretary-general Hong Boon How urged the company to restore the journalists to their normal duties.

Meanwhile, Article 19 also called for an amendment to the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 so that newspapers do not have to obtain a permit from the home ministry to operate.