Hotman Paris Reported Again Over 'Do You Have a Brain?' Remark

Lawyer Hotman Paris Hutapea has been reported again over his statement ‘Do you have a brain?’ directed at a journalist. The report was lodged by the Indonesian Independent Online Media (MIO) organisation at Polda Metro Jaya. The complaint is registered under number LP/B/5298/VII/2026/SPKT/POLDA METRO JAYA, citing Article 433, Article 436, and Article 441 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code, as well as Article 18 paragraph (1) in conjunction with Article 4 paragraph (2) and paragraph (3) of Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press.

MIO Indonesia Chairman Asep Yusuf Setyabudi Prayogie stated that Hotman Paris’s remarks in a public space were not criticism but rather demeaned the journalism profession. ‘We assess that Hotman Paris’s statement in a public space directed at a journalist demonstrated a belittling and insulting attitude towards the profession of journalists,’ he told reporters at Polda Metro Jaya on Tuesday (21/7/2026). He stressed that the report was made to defend the profession, arguing that journalists were portrayed as lacking legal understanding and intellectual capacity if they disagreed with a source.

The organisation’s legal representative, Krisna Murti, reminded advocates to maintain professionalism when defending clients and criticised Hotman for frequently invoking the name of President Prabowo Subianto in his statements. ‘Just don’t bring the President’s name into this matter, or other institutions. That is also not good for us. It means we know the President belongs to all Indonesian people, not just a handful of people,’ he added.

This follows a previous report by the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) registered on Monday, 20 July 2026, under Article 242 of Law Number 1 of 2023. Polda Metro Jaya confirmed they are processing the reports professionally and will examine the administrative completeness of the filings. Hotman Paris has since issued a public apology via his official Instagram account, explaining that he became emotional after being asked the same question repeatedly during a press conference regarding a former Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes.