Golkar Probes Cadre's Alleged Intimidation of Doctor Who Died

The Golkar party is delving into allegations of intimidation involving one of its cadres, who is accused of pressuring a doctor, Eliza Princila Utami Pakaenoni, or Dr. Icha, leading to her death. Muhammad Sarmuji, the Secretary-General of Golkar, stated that the party will not make any disciplinary decisions until both the victim's and the accused's accounts are heard.

"We must also listen to both sides. Whether there was intimidation and whether that intimidation led to someone's decision to take the action that occurred yesterday," Sarmuji said at the DPR building in Jakarta on Monday, June 29, 2026. He has assigned the Golkar Regional Leadership Council of East Nusa Tenggara to summon the accused member of the Timor Tengah Utara Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) as soon as possible to clarify the matter.

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We must also listen to both sides. Whether there was intimidation and whether that intimidation led to someone's decision to take the action that occurred yesterday.

Sarmuji emphasized that Golkar instructs its cadres to maintain proper conduct and avoid arrogance. He acknowledged that among the thousands of Golkar members serving in DPRD bodies across Indonesia, some may deviate from norms. "Don't just because you have a high position, then act inappropriately towards those below you," he advised.

Dr. Icha Pakaenoni was discovered hanging in her residence in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, on Friday, June 26, 2026. The Kupang Police Chief, Adj. Sr. Comr. Rudy Junus Jacob Ledo, stated that initial examinations of the body revealed ligature marks on the neck, consistent with the suspected cause of death, and no signs of external violence. Police are investigating the death, with initial findings pointing towards depression as a contributing factor following alleged intimidation by three DPRD members from Timor Tengah Utara while Dr. Icha was working at the emergency room of Leona Kefamenanu Hospital. The Ministry of Health has confirmed the intimidation allegations and dispatched an investigation team, collaborating with the Indonesian Doctors Association.

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Don't just because you have a high position, then act inappropriately towards those below you.