T

he Press Council said on Thursday that the Jakarta Police'€™s decision to name The Jakarta Post'€™s chief editor Meidyatama Suryodiningrat as a suspect for publishing a syndicated caricature criticizing the Islamic State (IS) movement, also known as ISIS, was unnecessary, as it was within the domain of journalism.

Press Council member Nezar Patria said the council had already analyzed the situation surrounding the publication of the caricature in July and had deemed it insensitive but not a criminal matter.

'€œWe found no malicious intent behind the publication and so Meidyatama should not be charged under an article of the Criminal Code, especially with regard to blasphemy,'€ he told the Post.

According to the Jakarta Police, Meidyatama could face a maximum prison sentence of five years if found guilty of publicly displaying hostility, hatred or contempt toward a group of people in Indonesia under Article 156, paragraph A, of the code.

The case first came to light after the Jakarta Muballigh Corps (KMJ) filed a complaint with the National Police in July, accusing the Post of blasphemy for publishing a caricature criticizing violence conducted by IS. The case was eventually delegated to the Jakarta Police.

IS was widely reported at the time and since to be committing mass murders and other atrocities in Syria and Iraq.

Nezar said the Press Council felt that the Post had already fulfilled all the requirements to rectify the situation; including apologizing and retracting the caricature almost immediately after it was published.

'€œFurthermore, the council felt that the Post was trying to send a warning to the public about groups that use Islamic symbols but conduct violent acts. Many Islamic groups all over the world have condemned IS. Even our government has banned citizens from joining it,'€ he said.

Nezar added that when questioned by the police, the Press Council told them that it felt the case was already closed.

'€œWe have asked the National Police to reevaluate the case and bring it back within the remit of the Press Law,'€ he said.

In response, chief editor Meidyatama said: '€œWe have received information on the matter and currently we are still studying it.

We are amazed because the fact is we did not commit a criminal act as accused. What we produced was a journalistic piece that criticized the ISIS [Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant] movement, which was at that time banned by the government.'€

Meidyatama added that the Post had received a statement from the Press Council that declared the case was merely related to journalism'€™s code of ethics and was not a criminal matter.

'€œThis should fall within the jurisdiction of the Press Council,'€ he stated.

'€œHowever, we respect the ongoing process and we will follow it in accordance with the prevailing regulations.'€