Jakarta. Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said Indonesia will soon require all industrial estates and factories to submit regular radiation monitoring reports, following the discovery of Cesium-137 (Cs-137) contamination at the Modern Cikande Industrial Estate in Serang, Banten.

The contamination was uncovered after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) detected traces of Cesium-137 in frozen shrimp exported from Indonesia in August. The product, made by Bahari Makmur Sejati, was recalled before entering the US market. The incident prompted Indonesian authorities to launch nationwide inspections, which later found traces of the radioactive isotope in at least 22 facilities within the Cikande Industrial Park, including Bahari Makmur Sejati’s plant. The affected facilities have since undergone decontamination.

Agus said the ministry is finalizing a new regulation to prevent and mitigate radiation risks in industrial areas. “We will issue a rule requiring every industrial estate and factory to submit reports based on Radiation Portal Monitoring (RPM) surveys,” he said during the Investor Daily Round Table in Jakarta on Tuesday. “Industries can either purchase the equipment or work with third-party providers to conduct the surveys.”

Under the plan, radiation reports must be submitted every three months to allow early detection of potential hazards. “Our priority is prevention, so incidents like this won’t happen again,” Agus said. He noted that partnering with accredited third-party surveyors would likely be the most practical option for many companies.

The minister assured that mitigation efforts are underway in coordination with several ministries to protect public health and maintain industrial operations. “We are committed to ensuring all industrial activities in Indonesia comply with safety and environmental standards. The radiation issue must be handled scientifically and transparently to maintain public confidence in domestic manufacturing,” Agus said.

The Industry Ministry is working with the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs, the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (BAPETEN), and local governments to trace contamination sources. The government has also formed a Task Force on Cesium-137 Radiation Hazards, led by the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs.

Agus stressed that Indonesia’s industrial safety and product quality remain intact. “Indonesian products are safe and meet international standards. There is no indication that radiation has affected supply chains or product quality,” he said.

The government has launched a criminal investigation into the case and temporarily suspended imports of scrap iron and steel. The Trade Ministry has also halted import licenses for companies linked to the contamination pending a review of monitoring procedures.

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