Indonesian Journalists Association Calls Hotman Paris's Apology Insincere

The Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) has declared lawyer Hotman Paris Hutapea's apology for his outburst at a press conference insincere. PWI Director of Anti-Violence Against Journalists, Edison Siahaan, stated that Hutapea's apology was confined to a video posted on his personal Instagram account.

Siahaan highlighted that Hutapea has yet to offer a direct apology to the journalist organization or the specific reporters he verbally attacked. "Even the journalists he insulted have never been contacted personally to apologize," Siahaan said on Monday, July 20, 2026.

Despite the perceived insincerity, PWI has accepted the apology as a sign of good faith. However, the organization stressed that this does not negate the ongoing legal process against Hutapea. Siahaan clarified that an apology does not automatically absolve someone of criminal liability.

Hutapea's controversial remarks occurred during a press conference following the examination of former Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes, Febrie Adriansyah. When a journalist questioned if Adriansyah felt criminalized, Hutapea responded aggressively, questioning the journalist's intelligence and background. He also made disparaging remarks about the police's search of his client's home, calling it unethical.