IDI Condemns DPRD TTU Ruling on Doctor Icha Case, Deems It Unfair to Healthcare Workers
The Indonesian Medical Association (IDI) of North Central Timor (TTU) has condemned the decision of the TTU Regional Representative Council (DPRD) Ethics Board (BK), which only temporarily suspended three council members involved in the intimidation of doctor Eliza Princila Utami Pakaenoni, also known as Doctor Icha. IDI considers the verdict unreflective of justice and a failure to provide protection for health workers.
Chairman of IDI TTU, dr Sondang, said all doctors and health workers in TTU were disappointed with the Ethics Board’s ruling concerning the case that followed the death of dr Icha Pakaenoni.
According to him, the decision does not provide a sense of justice for health workers.
“We in IDI TTU and the health workers of TTU are disappointed with the outcome of the DPRD Ethics Board’s decision. A ruling that does not reflect justice and does not provide a sense of fairness,” Sondang said on Wednesday (29/7/2026).
Sondang also highlighted the sanction imposed by the Ethics Board, namely temporary suspension, while the three council members continue to receive their salaries.
In his view, such a sanction has no deterrent effect and instead gives the three council members the opportunity to return to duty as if nothing had ever happened.
“The sanction is temporary suspension while still receiving a salary. Temporary suspension means there is a chance to become active again, as if nothing ever happened,” Sondang said.
He judged that the DPRD Ethics Board had shown no firmness in protecting health workers. According to him, the decision leaned more towards political interests and pressure.
“Decisions made by the people’s representatives should side with the people. Yet towards health workers, what has happened is siding with political interests and pressure. The DPRD Ethics Board is merely playing it safe,” he asserted.
Sondang also questioned the Ethics Board’s claim of independence. According to him, the verdict handed down demonstrated quite the opposite.
“The DPRD Ethics Board, which is said to be independent — we can see they are not as independent as they claim,” he said.
The case, Sondang continued, has drawn the attention of health workers across Indonesia. For that reason, he asked the public to judge the TTU DPRD Ethics Board’s verdict for themselves.
“All health workers in Indonesia are watching the decision of the TTU Regency DPRD Ethics Board. Let the Indonesian people and health workers throughout Indonesia judge,” he remarked.
The case of dr Icha Pakaenoni previously drew attention because it concerned the safety of health workers while on duty.
“IDI TTU hopes there will be firmness from the legislative institution to provide real protection to health workers,” he added.
Previously, the TTU DPRD Ethics Board imposed temporary suspension sanctions on Therensius Lazakar, Robert Tubani, and Veronika Lake. The decision was announced at a plenary session at the TTU DPRD building on Wednesday (29/7/2026).
TTU DPRD Speaker Kristoforus Efi confirmed that the three council members had been suspended.
“Earlier there was a plenary session to announce the decision of the TTU DPRD Ethics Board regarding the imposition of sanctions on three council members reported by the late doctor Icha and her family. The Ethics Board’s decision was temporary removal from the TTU DPRD membership,” said TTU DPRD Speaker Kristoforus Efi when contacted on Wednesday.