In the two days after the caricature was published, Makkal Osai issued two public apologies on the papers' second pages, stating the editorial team of the paper regretted publishing the picture. Makkal Osai news editor B. R. Rajen was also quoted to have explained the publication of the picture was not done with ill intent, and the staff responsible for allowing the image to be published has been suspended indefinitely. As of 25 August, the Roman Catholic Church and the Council of Churches Malaysia, representing the mainstream Protestants, accepted Makkal Osai's apology. Nevertheless, the Internal Security Ministry acted against Makkal Osai by ordering the paper to seize publication for a month effective 24 August 2007. Upon consultation with Christian leaders in the MCCBCHS, the MCCBCHS found the suspension to be "drastic" for a "genuine error"; Murphy Pakiam was "perplexed and bemused" by the suspension. In a 25 August press statement, Makkal Osai general manager M. Periasamy alleged the MIC has blown the matter out of proportion, failed to respect the views of Christian groups, and took advantage of the controversy "to stir religious sentiments for [the MIC's] political gains". The Tamil Nesan, the Makkal Osai's MIC-owned rival, was also accused by Makkal Osai of reshowing the offending caricature, as a poster-size enlargement held up by Peter s/o Sinnappan, in the 23 August edition of the Tamil Nesan.
