Jakarta. The ruling Gerindra Party has criticized prominent lawyer Hotman Paris Hutapea for repeatedly invoking President Prabowo Subianto while defending former senior prosecutor Febrie Adriansyah, who is under investigation in a high-profile corruption case.

The criticism followed Hotman's first press conference since joining Febrie's legal team, during which he described his client as "one of Prabowo's proudest people" for helping recover an estimated Rp 430 trillion ($24 billion) in state assets while serving as deputy attorney general for special crimes.

Hotman also said he had represented both Prabowo and the president's brother, Hashim Djojohadikusumo, for years and had never lost a case. He further argued that police should have informed the president before naming Febrie a corruption suspect.

The remarks drew a swift rebuke from Bambang Haryadi, a senior Gerindra Party official, who said linking the president to the case was inappropriate and inconsistent with Prabowo's commitment to fighting corruption.

"Gerindra regrets Hotman Paris' statement linking the former deputy attorney general's case to President Prabowo. This is completely inappropriate and contradicts the president's commitment to combating corruption," Bambang said in a statement on Sunday.

He said Prabowo had consistently pledged not to interfere in law enforcement and had demonstrated that commitment by allowing legal proceedings against public officials, including regional leaders and members of his own administration.

"The president has never interfered in law enforcement," Bambang said, urging Hotman to stop invoking Prabowo while defending his client.

In a separate development, the Editors-in-Chief Forum condemned Hotman's treatment of a journalist during the same July 17 press conference.

Responding angrily to a reporter's question, Hotman asked, "Do you have a brain?"

The media organization said sources have the right to decline questions but should not respond in a manner that demeans or intimidates journalists.

"Every source has the right not to answer a journalist's question. However, that right cannot be used as a justification for responding in a demeaning or intimidating manner," the organization said in a statement.

The forum described Hotman's remarks as arrogant and said they failed to address the substance of the reporter's question. It also cited Indonesia's 1999 Press Law, which guarantees legal protection for journalists in carrying out their professional duties, including protection from intimidation and obstruction.

Hotman joined Febrie's legal team after police named the former senior prosecutor a corruption suspect in connection with an ongoing investigation. Investigators have said they seized 74 kilograms of gold bullion from one of his residences during the probe. Febrie has denied wrongdoing.

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