Doctor Icha's Suicide Allegedly Triggered by Intimidation from TTU Council Members

North Central Timor (TTU) Regent Yosep Falentinus Delasalle Kebo has spoken out regarding the death of Dr Eliza Princila Utami Pakaenoni, known as Doctor Icha. Icha was found dead by hanging, allegedly after suffering severe depression due to intimidation by a member of the TTU Regional House of Representatives (DPRD). Yosep stated that Doctor Icha’s death was akin to lifting a long-closed curtain, revealing the bad habits of TTU DPRD members who frequently cause disturbances under the influence of alcohol during recess. ‘The incident with Dr Icha has lifted a curtain that has been tightly closed all this time,’ Yosep said on Saturday evening (27/6). ‘The individuals often cause chaos before and after recess due to the influence of alcohol,’ he added. Yosep deplored the inappropriate behaviour of the council members. He said the TTU Regency Government supports the efforts being pursued by Doctor Icha’s family to obtain justice. ‘We will support all efforts taken by the family in order to obtain justice,’ Yosep stated. Doctor Icha was a local doctor sponsored by a TTU Regional Government scholarship. She served at the Bitefa Community Health Centre and assisted in the emergency department of Leona Hospital. Doctor Icha was declared dead on Friday (26/6). She allegedly suffered severe depression after being intimidated by a TTU DPRD member, leading her to end her life by hanging. The alleged intimidation occurred while she was on duty at the Emergency Department (IGD) of Leona Hospital in Kefamenanu, TTU, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). At the time, Icha was treating a child patient who was a victim of a green snake bite. Two men claiming to be TTU DPRD members then arrived at the emergency department. They reportedly spoke in a loud tone to Icha. The two men were identified as TTU DPRD members Therensius Lazakar and Norbertus Tubani. The patient was Therensius’s nephew. ‘Doctor Icha was still experiencing fear and psychological pressure due to the shouting she received while on duty,’ revealed the victim’s uncle, Victor Manbait, on Friday (26/6). The alleged intimidation left Icha shaken and crying at the hospital. Shortly afterwards, Icha was found in a weak condition at her residence and eventually died. Family spokesperson Fabianus Banase said the incident began when two TTU DPRD members, Norbertus Tubani from the National Awakening Party (PKB) and Therensius Lazakar from Golkar, visited the Leona Hospital emergency department regarding the treatment of a child patient with a snake bite. Based on statements from several witnesses at the scene, the two council members allegedly smelled of alcohol when they arrived at the emergency department. In addition to statements from medical staff and other witnesses present, the family also received documentation in the form of photographs taken during the incident. ‘When they shouted at Icha, they smelled of alcohol. There are also photos that were sent to us as the family,’ Fabianus said. The TTU Police have examined Doctor Icha’s colleagues who were in the Leona Hospital emergency department during the alleged intimidation by three TTU DPRD members. Police will also examine the three council members, identified as Veronika Lake, Norbertus Bani, and Therensius Lazakar. TTU Police Chief AKBP Eliana Papote confirmed that the three TTU DPRD members would be summoned for clarification. She stated that the police are continuing to investigate the case even though the family has not yet filed a police report. ‘We at the police have not received a report. However, based on viral news that has spread on social media, we have already taken several police actions,’ Eliana said. The police will also coordinate with the DPRD leadership regarding the complaint from the victim’s family to the DPRD’s Honorary Board. Additionally, the police will complete the evidence, including the deceased’s medical records from her treatment at Leona TTU General Hospital and psychological results from Ben Mboi Central General Hospital. The three TTU DPRD members have since denied intimidating Doctor Icha at the Leona Hospital emergency department. Two of them claimed they only raised their voices because they were panicked.