Legal Counsel for Reported Parties Denies Intimidation of Late Dr Icha
The legal counsel for four individuals reported in the alleged intimidation case against the late Dr Eliza Princila Utami Pakaenoni (Dr Icha) has asserted that no intimidation ever took place, as reported by the family. This statement was made after the reported parties underwent questioning at the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Regional Police headquarters.
Legal team member Amos Lafu conveyed this after accompanying his four clients—members of the Timor Tengah Utara (TTU) Regional House of Representatives—during the examination on Tuesday evening (14/7). Those questioned included Veronika Lake, Therezius Lazakar, Norbertus Tubani, and a veterinarian named Maria Mathildis Sau.
Amos explained that the incident on 13 June 2026 at RS Leona in Kefamenanu was a heated discussion between the patient’s family and medical staff. He stated it was triggered by the family’s panic regarding the treatment of their relative, who was a snakebite victim.
"What happened was a discussion and a tense conversation within the context of the patient’s right to question and obtain information about healthcare services. This right is regulated in the Health Law," Amos told reporters.
He added that, based on his clients’ accounts, the issue was actually resolved after the hospital provided a comprehensive explanation of the patient’s blood test results. According to Amos, there was even good communication and a mutual forgiveness between his clients and the hospital management, including the late Dr Icha.
"Based on the facts experienced by our clients, we firmly state in principle that no intimidation occurred. This was merely a tense discussion because the patient’s family was panicked," he stressed.
During the examination, which began at 11:30 WITA, each of the reported individuals was asked more than a dozen to over twenty questions. Fellow legal counsel Bildat Thonak stated that his team would remain cooperative and support the investigators’ professionalism in uncovering complete primary data.
"We ask the public to wait for the legal process. Let the investigators work professionally so that all facts can be fully revealed and not based on assumptions," Bildat concluded.