Veterinarian Reported Alongside Lawmakers in Doctor Icha Intimidation Case
In addition to three members of the North Central Timor Regency (TTU) Regional House of Representatives, the family of the late Doctor Eliza Princila Utami Pakaenoni, known as Doctor Icha, has also reported a veterinarian with civil servant status to the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Regional Police. The veterinarian is suspected of participating in the intimidation of Doctor Icha while she was treating a patient bitten by a snake at Leona Hospital in Kefamenanu, TTU, on 13 June 2026. The patient has since recovered as of 16 June 2026.
Viktor Manbait, the legal representative for Doctor Icha’s family, stated that the veterinarian, identified by the initials MMC and serving as a civil servant at the TTU Regency Livestock Service Office, allegedly exerted pressure on Doctor Icha during the incident. “The person in question (the veterinarian) imposed their will by claiming they could simply take serum from a community health centre for their sick relative and inject it. That statement added to the mental pressure on Doctor Icha after she had previously received a series of verbal intimidation from three other individuals,” Viktor Manbait told reporters after accompanying the family to file the report at the NTT Regional Police on Friday (3/7).
Viktor, who is also the late Doctor Icha’s uncle, explained that the veterinarian is one of four public officials reported. The other three reported individuals are members of the TTU Regency DPRD from different factions: Therensius Lazakar from the Golkar Party, Norbertus Tubani from the PKB, and Veronika Lake from the PDI Perjuangan Faction. According to Viktor, the report was made based on the late doctor’s mandate to ensure similar incidents are not experienced by other health workers performing their duties at health facilities. “The family came to the NTT Regional Police to carry out the late Doctor Icha’s mandate, which is to protect health workers providing services so they do not experience torture or intimidation, whether verbal or physical,” he said.
He explained that the family members present for the report included the late doctor’s father, mother, two younger siblings, and uncle. The administrative report was signed by one of the family members with assistance from the legal team. Viktor stated that the report was initially received at the Integrated Police Service Centre of the NTT Regional Police before being directed to investigators from the Women and Children Protection Unit for assessment. After reviewing the facts presented, investigators determined that the report met the elements of an alleged criminal offence as stipulated in Article 530 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code. “The article applied is Article 530 of the Criminal Code, which regulates the alleged torture by a public official against a person causing physical or mental suffering, with a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment,” Viktor said.
Regarding the investigation process, Viktor said the examination of the family and witnesses will be rescheduled as the family is still undergoing a series of traditional ceremonies following Doctor Icha’s passing, including a customary house cleansing and pilgrimage. In addition to reporting to the NTT Regional Police, the family has also received an invitation from the Honorary Board of the TTU DPRD to provide clarification on the ethics complaint filed by the late doctor during her lifetime. However, the agenda was postponed as it coincided with the police report filing and will be rescheduled for the following week. Viktor added that once all customary proceedings are complete, his team will coordinate with investigators to schedule examinations for the family and other witnesses to support the investigation process.