Enviro News Asia, Serang — Minister of Environment Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, in his capacity as Executive Chair of the Task Force for Handling Radionuclide Cs-137 Radiation, led a preparedness assembly at the Cikande Police Station, Serang Regency, Banten. The event marked a strategic government effort to ensure public and environmental protection from the threat of radioactive contamination.
The assembly was attended by the Governor of Banten, Regent of Serang, Banten Police Chief, and representatives from Kemenko Pangan, BRIN, BAPETEN, Army Corps of Engineers, Brimob Gegana Unit, and local government agencies. In his remarks, Minister Hanif emphasized that discipline, collaboration, and safety are three non-negotiable principles in addressing the Cs-137 contamination case.
“Our duty is not only to eliminate physical contamination but also to build a strong regulatory foundation to prevent future incidents,” said Minister Hanif.
The government has set a target to complete the decontamination process by December 2025, covering affected industrial and factory areas. The initial phase includes ten main sites to be sterilized within one month under strict monitoring to ensure environmental safety.
In parallel, authorities are strengthening law enforcement to trace the source of radiation, suspected to originate from improperly disposed Cs-137 waste. Two possible sources are being investigated: imported scrap metal and potential Cs-137 leakage from commercial sectors. The investigation is led by law enforcement agencies with technical support from BRIN and BAPETEN to ensure a comprehensive response and prevent recurrence.
Beyond field operations, the government is using this case as momentum to reinforce regulations and oversight of radionuclide sources. Minister Hanif announced a temporary suspension of scrap metal imports until monitoring and safety systems are fully optimized.
“The government will not compromise public safety. Any import or industrial activity with potential radiation exposure must be strictly supervised,” he asserted.
As part of the follow-up, the Modern Cikande Industrial Estate management has been required to support the construction of an emergency Interim Storage facility at PT PMT, targeted for operation in 2026.
Health monitoring efforts are being coordinated by the Banten Provincial Government, Serang Regency Government, and several ministries, including the Ministries of Health, Manpower, and Social Affairs, to ensure the population remains free from radiation exposure while improving future preparedness.
During the visit, Minister Hanif also conducted direct public outreach to educate residents about the dangers of Cs-137 exposure and the importance of community vigilance.
“Public participation is key to successfully managing Cs-137 contamination. Through collective effort, we can restore Indonesia to being safe, clean, and healthy from radiation threats,” concluded Minister Hanif. (*)
