NTT Police to Question Three Regional Lawmakers Over Doctor's Intimidation Next Week

Three members of the Timor Tengah Utara (TTU) Regional House of Representatives suspected of intimidating the late Dr. Eliza Princita Utami Pakaenoni, known as Dr. Icha, will be questioned by East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Police investigators next week. Director of General Criminal Investigation at NTT Police, Senior Commissioner Sigit Haryono, stated that following the directive of NTT Police Chief Inspector General Rudi Darmoko, the intimidation report filed by the late Dr. Icha’s family is being handled responsively and promptly, including the examination of the reported individuals. He explained that investigators have scheduled the questioning of the three TTU DPRD members suspected of intimidating Dr. Icha for next week. “We will soon take statements from the three council members (as reported witnesses), so in the near future, it is scheduled for next week,” Sigit said when confirmed on Saturday (11/7). The three TTU DPRD members reported are Therezius Lazakar (Golkar Party), Robert Tubani (National Awakening Party), and Veronika Lake (Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle). The three are suspected of intimidation that allegedly drove Dr. Icha to take her own life on 26 June 2026. Sigit explained that several teams from a joint investigation unit have been formed to collect statements and evidence. Some have been dispatched to Kefamenanu, while others are stationed at NTT Police headquarters, coordinating with experts from various disciplines. He stated the investigation team will work around the clock to gather statements from various witnesses in Kefamenanu. The investigation will seek information from healthcare workers at Leona Hospital who are aware of the alleged intimidation incident, as well as patients and other witnesses who saw the DPRD members arrive at Leona Hospital and commit acts suspected of being intimidation. “(The team) I have directed to Kefa will later obtain information related to the incident at the hospital. Those examined include the healthcare workers, other patients, and witnesses who saw when the council members arrived,” explained Sigit, who was also appointed by the police chief to lead the joint investigation team. Sigit said all statements and evidence will be collected and analysed for a subsequent case review. Before the case review, investigators will seek statements from several experts, including a psychologist, a victimology and criminology expert, and a criminal law expert. Based on the expert testimony, it will later be concluded whether the alleged intimidation case that resulted in a person taking their own life constitutes a criminal event or not. If it is a criminal event, it will proceed to the investigation stage; if not, it will be terminated. He expressed hope that within two or three weeks, the investigative team can determine the next steps. “Our hope is that by presenting the facts of the event and then involving experts, we can quickly determine whether or not a criminal event has occurred,” Sigit said. It was previously reported that Dr. Icha was found dead, suspected of taking her own life, at her home in RSS Baumata Housing Complex, Baumata Barat Village, Taebenu District, Kupang Regency, on Friday (26/6) afternoon. Dr. Icha was suspected of suffering from severe depression and psychological distress after being intimidated by three TTU DPRD members on 13 June 2026. The alleged intimidation occurred while Dr. Icha was treating a patient suffering from a snakebite in the Emergency Unit of Leona Hospital, Kefamenanu. The snakebite victim, whose life was successfully saved, is reportedly related to one of the DPRD members who intimidated Dr. Icha. In addition to the three DPRD members, Dr. Icha’s family also reported a civil servant who is a veterinarian working at the TTU Livestock Service Office with the initials MMS. Dr. Icha’s body was buried on Monday (29/6), attended by thousands of mourners.