Benny K Harman Apologises After 'Do You Have a Brain' Remark to Journalist

The Coordinating Body of Parliamentary Journalists (KWP) has condemned a statement by House of Representatives Commission III member and Democratic Party Deputy Chairman Benny K Harman, who asked a journalist ‘do you have a brain’. KWP assessed the remark as demeaning to the journalistic profession.

The statement was made during an interview with journalists at the Parliament building in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday (11/8/2026), regarding the attendance of the 6th President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), at the Annual Session on 14 August 2026 and the independence day ceremony at the palace. Benny responded that SBY was currently abroad.

‘He (SBY) is having a check-up in America. He is having a check-up in America,’ Benny said in response to a question about SBY’s attendance. ‘Until when?’ a journalist asked. ‘End of the month,’ Benny replied. ‘So (SBY) will not attend on 17 August, Sir?’ the journalist asked. ‘If he is there, how can he attend,’ Benny answered.

The journalist then attempted to confirm SBY’s attendance again. However, Benny felt the question was being repeated. ‘Oh, so he will not attend either at the Palace or the Annual Session?’ the journalist asked to confirm. ‘Hey, do you have a brain? I have explained it. Yes, right. If he is having a check-up there until the end of the month, why are you asking again? Many journalists are strange these days,’ Benny replied.

KWP Deputy Coordinator Erwin Siregar regretted Benny’s statement. He considered it demeaning to journalists. ‘We regret and condemn the demeaning statement from Mr Benny K Harman,’ Erwin said in a statement on Tuesday (11/8). According to him, the journalist’s question was part of journalistic duty. This includes when journalists reconfirm information that has been previously conveyed. ‘He should have answered politely because the media also asked politely. If the media asks repeatedly, it is necessary for reconfirmation,’ he said.

Erwin stated that journalists have an interest in ensuring the information conveyed is clear. Therefore, he said, follow-up questions should not be considered a form of inability to understand the source’s explanation. ‘We ask Mr Benny K Harman to personally apologise to the journalist concerned and also to the public,’ Erwin stressed. ‘If there is no apology, we will report this matter to the House Ethics Council (MKD),’ Erwin added.

Benny K Harman later conveyed an apology for his statement. Benny admitted his remarks had offended the journalist. ‘Earlier, friends asked again, does the 6th President, Mr SBY, attend or not? If he is there until the end of the month, then automatically he cannot attend, right?’ Benny said at the Parliament building, Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday (11/8). ‘That should have been settled, but then it was repeated. I said, when asking, use your brain a little, journalist. Don’t ask again after it’s been answered,’ he continued. Benny claimed he had no ill intent with his statement. ‘But that is not the context. So I apologise if anyone felt offended, but there was nothing more to it, that was not the main issue,’ he said.