Hotman Paris Finally Apologises After Arrogance Towards Journalist, While Revealing Full Chronology

The controversy involving prominent lawyer Hotman Paris Hutapea has finally entered a new chapter. After receiving criticism from various parties, including the Forum of Editors-in-Chief (Forum Pemred) and the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI), Hotman has officially apologised for his remarks to a journalist during a press conference regarding the case of former Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes (Jampidsus), Febrie Adriansyah. However, in his statement of apology, Hotman also revealed what he considered to be the complete chronology, which he felt had not been fully conveyed in previous reports. Through a video uploaded on social media, Hotman Paris expressed his regret over the statement that went viral and sparked a strong reaction from the press community. ‘This is a statement of apology from me, Hotman Paris, in response to the appeal from the Indonesian Journalists Association, PWI, and fellow journalists. I hereby apologise profusely for my statement during the press conference on the case of the former Jampidsus, where I said, ’Don’t you have a brain?’,’ Hotman said, as quoted from his Instagram on Monday, 20 July 2026. Despite apologising, Hotman felt the need to explain the context of the conversation that took place during the press conference. ‘However, I need to explain that what was quoted by the media was only the final part; it was not quoted in full as to why I said that,’ he added. According to Hotman, before he made the remark, he had answered a journalist’s question regarding an alleged hidden agenda from an institution. ‘The fact of the incident is that the first journalist asked me whether the relevant institution had a hidden agenda. I answered, I don’t know, I do not have the capacity to answer that,’ Hotman explained. He then admitted he became emotional when another question was asked before he had finished his answer. ‘Before I finished answering, a second journalist suddenly asked whether the institution had made a mistake. I became emotional because I had repeatedly said I didn’t know, so I finally answered, ’Don’t you have a brain?’,’ he added. Hotman stressed that he had no intention of insulting the journalist. He claimed the situation at the time was fast-paced and tense.