October 8, 2025 | 08:22 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The response to the spread of Cesium-137 radioactive contamination in the Cikande modern industrial area, Serang, Banten, has entered a critical new phase. The government has decided to temporarily suspend the import of iron and metal scrap.
Minister of Environment and Land Control Agency Head, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, stated that this measure was taken to ensure all iron smelting industries meet stringent radiation safety standards before import permits are reinstated. The radioactive material was ultimately traced to an industrial factory within the location.
"We have requested a temporary suspension of scrap iron and steel imports while the industries equip themselves with both FME Radiation Portal Monitoring and CEMS," Hanif explained in Serang on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.
FME (Foreign Material Exclusion) is a process designed to prevent foreign debris, which poses economic or safety risks, from entering a restricted area. A Radiation Portal Monitor is a permanent detection system built to automatically inspect vehicles, cargo, or individuals passing through the detection zone for radioactive material.
CEMS (Continuous Emission Monitoring System), on the other hand, is required equipment to continuously track gas and particle emissions from industrial smokestacks.
Hanif stated that new import permits would only be granted after the industry has fully implemented all of these systems and processes. "We have decided that we will only issue import permits if everything is already equipped. If not, then no," he affirmed.
According to Hanif, this policy acts as a precautionary measure against the potential for undetected hazardous materials within the scrap metal import chain. "This potential reminds us that we never imagined a nuclear reactor would reach us before," he said, referencing the suspected origin of the Cesium-137 contamination in the Cikande industrial area.
Minister of Environment/Land Control Agency Head Hanif Faisol Nurofiq inspects vehicles contaminated with Cesium-137 in the Cikande Modern Industrial Area, Serang, Banten, October 7, 2025. Tempo/Tony Hartawan
He stressed that supervision of scrap imports must be strengthened to prevent similar incidents. He asserted that the government is now thoroughly correcting the licensing and supervision system for the entry of scrap metal into Indonesia. "Even if all the permits are fulfilled, our control may have been slightly overlooked," he conceded.
Meanwhile, Hanif added that coordination with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (Bapeten) continues to ensure the source of the radioactive contamination is fully identified. "So, this is being thoroughly investigated," he said.
Temporary Relocation of Residents
Based on recommendations from BRIN and Bapeten, the Ministry of Environment and Land Control Agency (KLH) is preparing steps for the temporary relocation of residents living near the Cesium-137 radiation point in the Cikande modern industrial area. The relocation is only intended for residents whose houses must be vacated until decontamination is complete.
Hanif indicated that this relocation process requires cross-ministerial and agency coordination, including the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Manpower, the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, as well as the Indonesian National Armed Forces and the National Police. "So, only those in the immediate vicinity will be localized [relocated]," he explained.
Hanif also added that strict restrictions on residents' movements in the affected area will be implemented to ensure the safety of the wider community. Furthermore, a team from the Ministry of Health, along with the Indonesian National Armed Forces and National Police, has been assigned to conduct public outreach and socialization with residents around the contaminated area.
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