Regent Reveals DPRD Members Often Cause Chaos Amid Doctor Icha's Death Case
The Regent of North Central Timor (TTU), Yosep Falentinus Delasalle Kebo, has spoken out regarding the death of Dr Eliza Princila Utami Pakaenoni, known as Doctor Icha. Icha died by hanging, allegedly due to severe depression after being intimidated by members of the TTU Regional House of Representatives (DPRD).
Yosep stated that Doctor Icha’s death is akin to lifting a long-closed veil. He revealed the bad habits of TTU DPRD members who often cause chaos due to the influence of alcoholic beverages during recess. “The incident with Dr Icha has lifted a veil that was tightly shut all this time,” Yosep said on Saturday evening. “The individuals often cause chaos before and after recess due to the influence of alcohol,” he added.
Yosep deplored the inappropriate behaviour of the council members. He said the TTU Regency Government supports the efforts taken by Doctor Icha’s family to obtain justice. “We will support all efforts taken by the family in order to obtain justice,” Yosep said.
Doctor Icha was a local doctor sponsored by a TTU Regional Government scholarship. She served at the Bitefa Community Health Centre and assisted in the emergency department of Leona Hospital.
Doctor Icha was pronounced dead on Friday. She was suspected of suffering from severe depression after being intimidated by TTU DPRD members, leading her to end her life by hanging. Icha was allegedly intimidated while on duty at the Emergency Department of Leona Hospital in Kefamenanu, East Nusa Tenggara, while treating a child patient who was a victim of a green snake bite.
Two men claiming to be TTU DPRD members then arrived at the emergency department. They reportedly spoke 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. “Doctor Icha was still experiencing fear and psychological pressure due to the shouting she received while on duty,” said the victim’s uncle, Victor Manbait, on Friday.
The alleged intimidation left Icha shaken and crying at the hospital. Shortly afterwards, Icha was found in a weak condition at her residence and eventually died.
Family spokesperson Fabianus Banase said the incident began when two TTU DPRD members, Norbertus Tubani from the National Awakening Party and Therensius Lazakar from Golkar, visited the Leona Hospital emergency department regarding the treatment of a child patient with a snake bite. Based on statements from several witnesses at the scene, the two council members allegedly smelled of alcohol when they arrived at the emergency department. In addition to witness accounts from medical staff and others present, the family also received photographic documentation taken during the incident. “When they shouted at Icha, they smelled of alcohol. There are also photos that were sent to us as the family,” Fabianus said.
The TTU Police have examined Doctor Icha’s colleagues who were in the Leona Hospital emergency department during the alleged intimidation by three TTU DPRD members. Police will also question the three council members, identified as Veronika Lake, Norbertus Bani, and Thrensius Lazakar.
TTU Police Chief AKBP Eliana Papote confirmed that the three TTU DPRD members would be summoned for clarification. She stated that police are still investigating the case even though the family has not yet filed a police report. “We at the police have not received a report. However, based on viral news that has spread on social media, we have already taken several police actions,” Eliana said.
The police will also coordinate with DPRD leaders regarding the complaint filed by the victim’s family with the DPRD’s Honorary Board. Additionally, police will complete the evidence with the deceased’s medical records from Leona TTU General Hospital and psychological results from Ben Mboi General Hospital. The three TTU DPRD members have since denied intimidating Doctor Icha in the Leona Hospital emergency department, with two of them claiming they only raised their voices due to panic.