Police to Summon Hotman Paris in Case of Remarks to Journalists

Indonesian police have launched an investigation into prominent lawyer Hotman Paris Hutapea for alleged hate speech targeting journalists. The probe stems from a complaint filed by the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) after Hutapea made remarks perceived as demeaning to the profession.

According to Budi Hermanto, head of public relations for the Metro Jaya Regional Police, investigators will summon Hutapea for questioning. "Yes (the accused will be summoned)," Budi stated on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. He added that investigators are still reviewing the substance of the report and gathering evidence before seeking clarification from Hutapea.

The PWI officially reported Hutapea to the Polda Metro Jaya on Monday, July 20, 2026, citing alleged hate speech. "We want this to be processed legally," said Edison Siahaan, Director of Anti-Violence Against Journalists at PWI. Siahaan specified that the report concerns Hutapea's question, "Do you have a brain?" posed during a press conference, which he believes belittled journalists.

Edison also indicated that Hutapea's subsequent apology does not automatically absolve him of criminal responsibility. "That certainly does not resolve the criminal act that has been committed," Edison remarked after filing the report. The organization Media Independen Online (MIO) Indonesia also filed a similar report against Hutapea the following day.

The controversy arose when a journalist questioned Hutapea about whether his client, Febrie, felt criminalized. Hutapea interrupted the question, asking, "What do you think? Do you have a brain?" He then instructed the journalist to assess the legal process against Febrie himself, criticizing the police's search of his client's home as unethical and conducted before Febrie was even questioned. Hutapea later issued an apology via a video posted on his Instagram account.