PWI Accepts Hotman Paris' Apology, But Legal Process Continues
The Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) has stated it accepts the apology issued by Hotman Paris following his remarks that were considered insulting to journalists. However, the organisation confirmed that the legal process will continue.
This was conveyed by the Head of the PWI’s Legal Defence and Development Division, Anrico Pasaribu, after being questioned at Polda Metro Jaya on Wednesday (22/7). He was examined in connection with the report filed by PWI against Hotman on Monday (20/7).
“Regarding the apology, we accept it, we accept and appreciate it, we accept it. But the legal process is our legal right, we will proceed with it first,” said Anrico.
Anrico also stated that the legal action taken by PWI is not a personal matter with Hotman. Rather, it is a form of responsibility for the organisation that represents journalists. “What is certain is that we are doing this not because of a personal matter, not a personal conflict, but it is an organisational responsibility. How we can safeguard these journalistic duties, these professional duties, so that they are under protection,” he said.
Anrico conveyed that during today’s examination, his party also provided additional evidence to investigators regarding the report against Hotman. The additional evidence includes videos, transcripts, and several news channels or links. “Following up on the report, today we were questioned to complete it, then we were asked for some evidence which we submitted to the investigators,” he said.
Furthermore, Anrico requested that the police process this report. He also emphasised that this legal step was not taken to criminalise anyone. “There is no target for us to imprison anyone, no, or to criminalise someone, no. We are presenting this case so that it becomes clearer later, whether the elements of evidence are met, and so on. We will leave it to the investigators, whether it is sufficient or not, that is up to the investigators,” he said. “But we will pursue our legal rights to the fullest for the sake of protecting the dignity of journalists,” he added.
Previously, PWI officially reported Hotman Paris to Polda Metro Jaya. The report was registered under number LP/B/5291/VII/2026/SPKT/POLDA METRO JAYA. In this report, PWI reported Hotman for alleged criminal defamation as referred to in Article 242 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code.
Hotman’s remarks, which were considered degrading to the journalism profession, were made during a press conference at the Attorney General’s Office on Friday (17/7) last week. A number of journalist professional organisations in Indonesia jointly issued strong criticism against Hotman for being arrogant and demeaning the dignity of journalists.
The incident began when Hotman was speaking on behalf of his client, former Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes Febrie Adriansyah, who is now a suspect in a corruption case. Instead of responding professionally, Hotman responded to journalists’ questions with words that were considered insulting and intimidating. He made statements such as “do you have a brain?”, told a journalist to “shut up” and ask their grandfather, and labelled journalists as “cowards” if they did not dare to ask questions at the National Police Headquarters.
Following his statements, Hotman Paris issued an apology to journalists and all journalist organisations via a video uploaded to his Instagram account. “A statement of apology from me, Hotman Paris. In connection with the appeal from the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) and other journalist colleagues. I hereby apologise profusely for my statement during the press conference on the case of the former Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes, where I said ‘do you have a brain or not?’,” he said in the short video uploaded to the Instagram account hotmanparisofficial, quoted on Monday (20/7).