MCA vice-president Dr Fong Chan Onn today said he had met with editors of The Sun last year in his capacity as human resources minister and had no intention of interfering with the daily's editorial policies.

"In my capacity as the human resources minister I do meet up with editors as a normal function of my job," he said.

The minister was responding to a question that he had led a delegation of MCA Team A leaders to meet with The Sun about the daily's critical coverage of the party and the prominence given to Team B leaders.

"I have also met with many newspapers pertaining to their collective agreements," Fong told reporters at his office in Putrajaya.

Asked if any of the meetings with The Sun editors had been politically motivated, Fong replied: "When we do our duties, we do not involve politics."

On Jan 8 malaysiakini reported that party president Dr Ling Liong Sik was dismayed by The Sun's coverage and that at least five meetings were held with the editors.

However, Ling was not present in any of the meetings.

Asked if other MCA leaders had met with the daily's editors, Fong said even if they did, he was sure it was done in their capacity as ministers.

"I am sure that if they are ministers they have the right to meet with anyone they like," he added.

Massive retrenchment

The Sun landed itself in controversy following a Christmas Day front-page report of a plot to kill Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his deputy Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

This irked Mahathir and the daily published a front-page apology on Dec 27. Several editorial staffs were suspended, prompting journalists and others to stage pickets calling for their reinstatement.

The pickets were also held to protest the management's delay in paying the bonuses due.

Last Friday, the daily began a massive retrenchment exercise due to "economic reasons" and "downsizing".

However, those affected claim the retrenchment targeted the daily's National Union of Journalists (NUJ) members and those involved in the pickets.

Commenting on the lay-offs, Fong said he had already instructed his officers to meet with both The Sun's management and those affected to resolve the matter.

"I have called up both sides to talk to settle any outstanding issues. We are there to facilitate any legal disputes," he said.