Hotman Paris faces backlash over disrespectful remarks to journalists in Febrie Adriansyah corruption case

Lawyer Hotman Paris Hutapea, appointed as counsel for former junior special crimes prosecutor Febrie Adriansyah—now a suspect in a corruption and money‑laundering investigation—addressed journalists at a press conference in the Attorney General’s Office on 17 July 2026. His reply, “Lu punya otak nggak?” (“Do you have a brain?”), was deemed insulting and sparked criticism from the Forum Pemimpin Redaksi (Pemred), Persatuan Wartawan Indonesia (PWI) and other media organisations. PWI filed a formal report with Metro Jaya police, and Pemred condemned the response as unprofessional and contrary to the 1999 Press Law.

Hotman subsequently issued public apologies to journalists, President Prabowo Subianto, Attorney General Sanitiar Burhanuddin and police chiefs, acknowledging the comment’s inappropriateness. The President’s secretariat also warned him not to link the President’s name to the case. Former KPK investigator Yudi Purnomo questioned why Hotman received a special press‑conference space, suggesting it undermined public trust. While some commentators defended his right to represent a client, the episode has intensified debate over press freedom, legal ethics and political interference in Indonesia’s high‑profile corruption probe.