Belu, NTT, | AswinNews.com ~ The Decree (SK) for membership in the Indonesian Veteran Legion (LVRI) in the name of Leandro Duarte has reportedly been withheld for years without a clear reason. Leandro, an active veteran from Lawalutolus Village, West Tasifeto District, Belu Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), said that the SK was withheld by Stefanus Atok Bau, who allegedly asked for Rp. 6.5 million as a condition for taking it. Wednesday, (7/5/2025)
According to Leandro’s statement, he had been taking care of his LVRI membership since he was still serving in East Timor. However, when he checked directly with the Kaminvet office in Kupang, it was discovered that the SK had been taken by Stefanus Atok Bau and Julio Do Carmo without his knowledge.
“I have been trying to ask about the whereabouts of my SK since returning to Belu in 2012. But every time I ask, there is always a condition that money must be deposited in order for the SK to be given,” said Leandro.
Not only him, a number of other veterans such as Bau, Mateus Nahak, and several fellow fighters also experienced the same thing. They admitted that their respective SKs were still being held at the Belu Regency Kaminvet Branch office.
Leandro admitted that he had tried to fulfill the request by sacrificing some money and even donating livestock in the form of cows. However, due to economic constraints, he was unable to fulfill the full request of Rp. 6.5 million which was mentioned as a mandatory requirement by Stefanus Atok Bau.
“I am disappointed because this concerns my rights as a veteran. Not only did I not receive the SK, but I also did not receive the honorarium that should have been my right,” he added.
He hopes that this issue will be investigated thoroughly by the relevant parties and asks for attention from the government and the media so that the rights of veterans are restored.
Until this news was published, there has been no official response from Stefanus Atok Bau or the Belu Regency Kaminvet office.
(Report by Raphael.F, | Media Aswinnews.com)
