Five Facts on the Death of Dr Icha: Two Regional Legislators Implicated in Alleged Intimidation
A doctor named Dr Eliza Princila Utami Pakaenoni, known as Icha (27), was found dead by hanging. She was suspected to have been suffering from depression after being intimidated by two members of the Timor Tengah Utara (TTU) Regional House of Representatives (DPRD).
‘She was found hanging on the second floor at around 17.55 Wita. From the results of a mental health examination, the deceased experienced a severe shock that led to a suicide attempt,’ said family spokesperson and uncle, Fabianus Banase, at the funeral home in RSS Baumata, Kupang Regency, on Saturday (27/6/2026).
The family stated the exact cause of Icha’s death could not yet be confirmed. However, based on information obtained, Icha was allegedly intimidated while on duty at the Emergency Department (IGD) of Leona Kefamenanu Hospital.
Here are five known facts regarding the death of Dr Icha:
- Had Treated a Snake Bite Victim
Dr Icha treated a child patient who was a victim of a green snake bite. The patient was a referral from Kefamenanu Regional General Hospital, received on 13 June 2026 at 12.50 Wita. Two men claiming to be members of the TTU DPRD then arrived at the emergency department. They were said to have spoken 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.
- Legislators Deny Allegations
Meanwhile, Therensius Lazakar and Norbertus Tubani denied carrying out any intimidation. Therensius explained the family was panicked because his nephew kept complaining of pain. ‘We never intended to intimidate medical staff. The information circulating does not match the actual facts,’ Therensius said in a written statement. ‘We admit that in that situation, our tone of voice did rise because we were panicked seeing the patient’s condition. But there was absolutely no intention to intimidate the doctor,’ he added.
- Police Investigate
The TTU Police have questioned Dr Icha’s colleagues who were in the Leona Hospital emergency department at the time of the alleged intimidation by three TTU DPRD members. Icha is suspected to have suffered severe depression leading to her hanging herself. The council members examined include Veronika Lake from PDIP, Norbertus Bani from PKB, and Thrensius Lazakar from Golkar. TTU Police Chief AKBP Eliana Papote confirmed the three TTU DPRD members would be summoned for clarification. ‘We at the police have not yet received a report. However, based on viral news that has spread on social media, we have taken several police actions,’ Eliana said at the funeral home. ‘We have taken statements from Dr Icha’s friends who were at the emergency department location at the time of the incident,’ she added.
- TTU Regent’s Response
Timor Tengah Utara (TTU) Regent, Yosep Falentinus Delasalle Kebo, spoke out regarding the death case of Dr Eliza Princila Utami Pakaenoni, known as Dr Icha. He alluded to TTU DPRD members who frequently cause disturbances due to the influence of alcohol during recess. ‘The incident with Dr Icha has lifted the veil that has been tightly closed all this time,’ Yosep said. ‘These individuals often cause chaos during recess, whether before or after, due to the influence of alcohol,’ he added. Yosep deplored the inappropriate behaviour of the council members. The TTU Regency Government supports the efforts taken by Dr Icha’s family to obtain justice. ‘We will support all efforts taken by the family in order to obtain justice,’ Yosep said.
- Regent Threatens to Freeze Hospital Permit
Falen Kebo threatened to freeze the operational permit of Leona Kefamenanu General Hospital in NTT. This stern warning was issued following the death case of Dr Eliza Princila Utami Pakaenoni, affectionately known as Dr Icha. Falen Kebo revealed that the hospital management was deemed not transparent in providing information regarding Dr Icha’s death. Falen admitted he had ordered the Head of the TTU Health Office to halt the permit renewal process for Leona General Hospital. ‘I have summoned the Head of the Health Office so that all applications for permit extensions for Leona Hospital in TTU are frozen,’ Falen said on Sunday (28/6/2026). ‘To date, we have not received a single statement or update from the hospital regarding this incident,’ he added. He admitted he had to seek out information himself regarding the developments in the case of Dr Icha’s death. For context, Icha was a local doctor who pursued her education through a TTU Regional Government scholarship. She served at the Bitefa Community Health Centre and was seconded to the Leona Hospital emergency department. Falen assessed that the hospital merely exploited the doctor’s labour without providing adequate protection. He again regretted the unresponsive attitude of Leona General Hospital’s management in conveying information about the problems that befell Dr Icha. ‘Do not just use her labour, but give a little responsibility. Until this second, I have not received any report. This is what we regret,’ Falen stressed. Additionally, Falen explicitly requested that the CCTV footage evidence from Leona Hospital be safeguarded and not removed. The recorded evidence will later be handed over to the police for investigation purposes. ‘I have asked the Head of the Health Office to freeze all permits they have applied to renew until this matter is resolved,’ he concluded.