Three TTU DPRD Members Suspended Over Intimidation of Doctor Icha

Three members of the Timor Tengah Utara (TTU) Regional House of Representatives in East Nusa Tenggara, who intimidated Doctor Eliza Princila Utami Pakaenoni, known as Icha, until she took her own life, have been suspended. The decision was taken during a plenary session held on Wednesday (29/7/2026). The three TTU DPRD members are Therensius Lazakar of the Golkar Party, Robert Tubani of the PKB, and Veronika Lake of the PDIP. “The plenary session was held earlier to announce the decision of the TTU DPRD Honorary Board regarding the sanctions against the three DPRD members reported by the late Doctor Icha and her family. The Honorary Board’s decision was a temporary suspension from the TTU DPRD,” said TTU DPRD Chairman Kristoforus Efi when contacted on Wednesday. Kristoforus explained that the temporary suspension was based on the criminal process for the alleged intimidation, which is still ongoing at the East Nusa Tenggara Regional Police. Furthermore, the case has progressed to the investigation stage, so the TTU DPRD is respecting the ongoing legal process. “We greatly respect the legal process at the East Nusa Tenggara Police, but we also firmly uphold the principle of presumption of innocence. That is the basis for our consideration in imposing the temporary suspension sanction,” explained the Golkar Party politician. According to Kristoforus, the decision was taken based on alleged violations of the oath and pledge as well as the DPRD code of ethics. On the other hand, the TTU DPRD was not reckless in imposing a permanent dismissal sanction. He said the outcome of the criminal process, up to a court ruling, cannot yet be confirmed as proven or not. If the three DPRD members are later declared innocent, they could potentially file a civil lawsuit with the State Administrative Court to claim material compensation. “If, for example, the lawsuit is for IDR 100 to 200 billion, where would that money come from? It would be the people’s money,” Kristoforus elaborated. Should a court ruling gain permanent legal force and declare them proven guilty, the TTU DPRD will impose a permanent dismissal sanction on the three. “That is the regulation. So we are doing this (temporary suspension) beforehand to avoid legal repercussions in the future,” Kristoforus explained. Kristoforus stressed that after being subjected to the temporary suspension sanction, the three TTU DPRD members will only receive their basic salary. Meanwhile, allowances, council complementary organs, and other rights will no longer be received. “At most, they will only receive their basic salary. Other allowances, they will not get,” Kristoforus added. “So our colleagues on the TTU DPRD Honorary Board have considered many aspects. It may not satisfy all parties, especially the victim’s family, but this decision has considered many aspects and the legal impact on this institution,” concluded the former activist of the Kupang Branch of the PMKRI.