Iwakum and Forum Pemred Urge Hotman Paris to Apologize

Ikatan Wartawan Hukum and Forum Pemred urged Hotman Paris Hutapea to issue a public apology after his remarks to reporters during a news conference at the Kejaksaan Agung in Jakarta on Friday (17/7) were seen as insulting the press profession. At the event, Hotman, who was accompanying Febrie Adriansyah as a corruption suspect, told a reporter, "lu punya otak enggak?". Iwakum Chairman Irfan Kamil said the remark was not criticism, but an insult and an attempt to silence press freedom. Forum Pemred Chair Retno Pinasti also said the response was unprofessional, intimidating and did not address the substance of the question. The two organizations stressed that reporters have the right to ask questions for verification, while sources may decline to answer without belittling others. They cited UU Pers Nomor 40 Tahun 1999, which protects journalistic work.