Three TTU DPRD Members Face Criminal Charges Over Alleged Psychological Harm to Doctor Icha

The East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Regional Police have begun investigating a report filed by the family of the late doctor Eliza Princila Utami Pakaenoni, known as Doctor Icha, against three members of the Timor Tengah Utara (TTU) Regional House of Representatives who allegedly intimidated the victim. In the initial handling of the case, investigators applied Article 530 of the Criminal Code (KUHP) Law Number 1 of 2023, which carries a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment.

Deputy Director of the Directorate of Women and Children Protection and Human Trafficking Eradication at the NTT Police, AKBP Semuel Simbolon, stated that the article is currently being used as the initial basis for the investigation. ‘The article we will use is Article 530. The criminal threat is seven years in prison. However, this article applies if the suspects are later proven to have fulfilled the criminal elements,’ Simbolon told reporters at the NTT Police headquarters on Friday (3/7).

The three TTU DPRD members reported by Doctor Icha’s family are Veronika Lake from the PDI Perjuangan faction, Norbertus Tubani from PKB, and Therensius Lazakar from the Golkar Party. Simbolon explained that after receiving the report, investigators will examine witnesses, request expert testimony, collect documents, and secure evidence, including digital evidence. According to him, investigators will cooperate with the National Police Headquarters Forensic Laboratory to trace digital footprints using scientific crime investigation methods.

‘Documentary evidence, mobile phones, and electronic evidence will be secured and sent to the National Police Forensic Laboratory for examination,’ he said. He added that the three reported individuals will also be summoned and examined at the NTT Police headquarters as part of the investigation process. After all evidence is collected, investigators will hold a case conference to determine whether the case can be escalated to the investigation stage. If all criminal elements are met, the process will continue until suspects are named.

Although investigators are currently using Article 530 as a single charge, Simbolon said the possibility of applying other articles remains open depending on the results of the investigation. He explained that the new Criminal Code specifically regulates acts that cause physical or psychological suffering to victims. ‘The new Criminal Code is more specific in regulating the physical or mental suffering of victims. That is what we will delve into in this case,’ he said. Simbolon emphasised that the current focus of investigators is to ascertain whether a criminal event occurred and whether all legal elements are fulfilled through the examination of witnesses, experts, and valid evidence.