The publication drew flak from the Malaysian government, which consisted predominantly of Muslim politicians.
As a result, Lester Melanyi, an editor of the newspaper, resigned from his post for allowing the reprinting of the cartoon.
Company advisor Senator Datuk Idris Buang announced that the daily would choose to suspend itself.
The paper was officially suspended on 9 February 2006, while a formal letter was delivered to Idris at the daily's main office.
The company was renamed Eastern Times News Sdn Bhd in May 2006.