Hotman Paris Case Update: Reported to Police by PWI and MIO

Lawyer Hotman Paris is under scrutiny following remarks made during a press conference at the Attorney General’s Office last week. The incident began when Hotman, speaking on behalf of his client, former Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes Febrie Adriansyah, responded to journalists’ questions by allegedly insulting and intimidating them. He was heard saying, ‘do you even have a brain?’, telling a journalist to ‘shut up’, and labelling them a ‘coward’.

Several journalist organisations in Indonesia strongly condemned the remarks, deeming them arrogant and degrading to the profession. Despite Hotman subsequently issuing a public apology via his Instagram account, the matter has escalated to formal legal action.

The Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) filed a police report at Polda Metro Jaya on Monday. The report, registered under number LP/B/5291/VII/2026/SPKT/POLDA METRO JAYA, accuses Hotman of criminal insult under Article 242 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code. Edison Siahaan, Director of Anti-Violence against Journalists at PWI Central, stated that while the apology was accepted, it does not automatically resolve the alleged criminal act.

Additionally, the Indonesian Independent Online Media (MIO) organisation also reported Hotman on Monday. Their report, registered under number LP/B/5298/VII/2026/SPKT/POLDA METRO JAYA, cites alleged violations of Articles 433, 436, and 441 of the Criminal Code, as well as Article 18 (1) in conjunction with Article 4 (2) and (3) of Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press. MIO Chairman Asep Yusuf Setyabudi Prayogie emphasised that the report was made to defend the dignity of the journalistic profession, not to suppress freedom of expression. Polda Metro Jaya has confirmed receipt of the reports and stated that investigators will process them according to legal procedures.