PDIP Suspends TTU Council Member Veronika Lake Following Doctor Icha's Death

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) has officially suspended Veronika Lake as a member of the North Central Timor (TTU) Regional House of Representatives (DPRD). The decision was taken in connection with alleged intimidation in the case of the death of Dr. Eliza Princila Utami Pakaenoni, known as Doctor Icha. “The suspension of Mrs Veronika took effect today. She was summoned by the Deputy Chairman of the Ethics Council to inquire about the matter,” said Ronivon Bunga, Chairman of the PDIP TTU Branch Executive Board, when contacted on Tuesday (30/6/2026). Roni explained that there is currently no evidence of Veronika’s involvement in the alleged intimidation against Doctor Icha. He said the suspension was carried out so that Veronika could focus on resolving the case in which she is allegedly involved. However, Roni stressed that PDIP will impose sanctions ranging from a reprimand to dismissal if Veronika is found guilty. According to him, dismissal would be decided by the PDIP Central Executive Board. “At the moment, it has not been proven. So we are all applying the presumption of innocence. Whether she is later proven to have committed intimidation or not, that is the authority of the Central Executive Board,” Roni explained. “If there is sufficient evidence of alleged intimidation, then the possibility of dismissal cannot be ruled out. However, that decision is entirely the domain of the Central Executive Board,” he added. Roni admitted that he had advised Veronika to follow the investigation process currently underway at the police. He said PDIP fully entrusts the matter to the legal process. On the other hand, PDIP has also suspended Veronika from her capacity as Deputy Chair of the Election Winning Body at the TTU Branch Executive Board. Roni explained that Veronika is suspended until the issue is resolved. “Regarding the duration of the suspension, we cannot confirm until when, but we are giving her the opportunity to resolve this matter. So that she is not too busy with the legislative institution or the branch board,” he elaborated. Veronika is a member of Commission III of the TTU DPRD. With her suspension as a council member, the number of active PDIP cadres in the TTU DPRD is now three. “That is indeed the consequence. Currently, we have four members in the legislative body, with her suspension, we are left with three members,” said Roni. “Although we are short one member, in that commission we have two members. This means we still have one member in Commission III,” he concluded. Doctor Icha was pronounced dead on Friday (26/6). She reportedly suffered from severe depression after being intimidated by members of the TTU DPRD, leading her to take her own life by hanging. The incident believed to have triggered the pressure on Icha occurred while she was on duty at the Emergency Department of Leona Hospital, Kefamenanu, TTU. At the time, Icha was treating a child who was a victim of a green snake bite. During the treatment of the patient, two men claiming to be TTU DPRD members came to the emergency room and allegedly spoke harshly to Icha. The two were later identified as DPRD TTU members Therensius Lazakar and Norbertus Tubani. The patient Icha was treating was Therensius’s nephew. Fabianus Banase, Icha’s uncle and family spokesperson, said the family would report three DPRD TTU members for alleged intimidation. Fabianus said the intimidation caused Icha to become so distressed that she decided to end her life. The three DPRD TTU members being reported are Norbertus Bani from the National Awakening Party, Veronika Lake from PDIP, and Therensius Lazakar from Golkar Party. “We are reporting the intimidation by these three DPRD members to the Ethics Council and the NTT Regional Police,” Fabianus asserted on Sunday (28/6).